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It all commenced in Scotland and this impressive streak remains unbroken. That memorable evening at Hampden marked merely Luis de la Fuente's second outing as Spain's manager; numerous observers thought it might prove to be his final assignment. Although two Scott McTominay goals defeating the Spanish national team, whereas virtually everyone expected his tenure would be brief, De la Fuente talked about a route emerging - and interestingly, the manager previously criticized of living in Disneyland turned out correct.

36 months and four days, Spain moved extremely close of World Cup participation, while simultaneously achieving their 29th consecutive competitive game without defeat, equaling the historic record.

Pedri's Influence and Merino's Impact

During an evening when the Barcelona midfielder featured and Mikel Merino created the difference, Spain defeated Bulgaria four-nil to accumulate a perfect dozen from 12 in qualifying, nearing advancement. The Gunners' playmaker and occasional forward scored the opening two goals and might have earned his second hat-trick in three recent Spain appearances but after brought down in the final minute, he generously handed the penalty to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Therefore it was the Real Sociedad attacker, goal-getter of the winning goal in the Euro 2024 final, who continued the remarkable sequence, matching what Vicente del Bosque's legendary squad accomplished between 2010 and 2013.

Record Equaled

Now, you might have observed the symbol, and correctly so. Although FIFA might not classify it as a defeat, during this impressive run Spain actually lose once – 7-5 on penalties to Portugal in the continental tournament decider back in June. Yet formally at least, this current team has matched that historic team against which all Spanish sides are measured.

Win in Georgia in a month and the record will be theirs alone. En route they won the Nations League in 2023, the European Championships in 2024 and advanced to a Nations League final in 2025; they head toward 2026 ranked number one, among the frontrunners once more, reminiscent of previous eras.

Total Control

The match represented "only" against Bulgaria, admittedly, similar to previous encounters against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four wins from four, aggregate score fifteen-zero. There were two instances immediately after La Selección scored their first two goals – the third strike being an self-inflicted – but ultimately their opponents had not been permitted a solitary shot on target.

The total count showed: thirty-three to three, Spain demonstrably playing as Spain. Bulgaria's coach had admitted the sole objective his team could have was to hold out as long as possible. Ultimately, that defensive effort lasted thirty-three minutes, and Merino's header represented Spain's eighteenth attempt on target by that point.

Midfield Brilliance

The display was about all of them, but at the heart of it was Pedri, ubiquitous and nowhere at once: everywhere for Spain, absent for Bulgaria, incapable to detect him as he darted through their defense. He completed 101 passes by the time he was substituted to a standing ovation on the sixty-sixth minute, and his were the moments of greatest subtlety, the finest touches and the sharpest as well.

When the Valladolid stadium chanted his name midway the first half, he had just slipped unnoticed into the area once more, dinking his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the woodwork, but it was not just that. He had already lifted a magnificent pass into Álex Baena to volley wide and delivered an additional pass from which Baena was blocked.

Continued Pressure

An cleverly weighted delivery had created opportunity for Samu Aghehowa up for what should have been the opener, and a neat pass saw Oyarzabal mishit his shot. He received a chance of his own only to fail to find a clean connection, volleying wide.

But then, almost immediately after, he delivered an additional ball in. This time Robin Le Normand headed across and Merino headed in. Spain, who had eighty-eight percent of the ball, now had the advantage. The heat map appeared like they had run out of spray paint midway through and a little later Aghehowa could have made it two-nil.

Momentary Threat

But then in part it's the unpredictability, even the injustice, that makes football great. And the first time Bulgaria advanced into Spain's territory they might have equalized, Kiril Despodov suddenly sprinting away and striking the side-netting.

Brought on for Aghehowa at the break, Borja Iglesias had three chances in as many minutes before Merino scored again. The delivery from the left flank was excellent from Álex Grimaldo and there, leaping above all defenders, was Merino to direct the header downward and sprint to celebrate round the flagpost.

Final Moments

Similar to their reaction after the opener, Bulgaria survived again, Despodov sent through and putting his and their second shot wide and nevertheless the first time the away team had a shot on target it was at the incorrect goal, Atanas Chernev deflecting into his team's goal. Still it was not completely finished, Merino kicked in the shins and allowing to let Oyarzabal smash in the ninety-ninth goal of De la Fuente's ongoing reign.