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It all began in Scotland and this impressive streak continues. That memorable evening at Hampden marked only Luis de la Fuente's second as Spain's head coach; numerous observers thought it could prove to be his last match in charge. Although two Scott McTominay goals overcoming the Spanish national team, whereas virtually everyone expected his spell would be short-lived, the coach spoke about a route opening - and remarkably, the manager previously criticized of being unrealistic turned out correct.

36 months and later, Spain moved extremely close of World Cup participation, and also racking up their 29th consecutive official game unbeaten, equaling the historic record.

Midfield Masterclass and Decisive Contribution

On a night when Pedri featured and Mikel Merino made the difference, Spain overcame Bulgaria 4-0 to accumulate 12 points from twelve in World Cup qualification, nearing advancement. The Gunners' playmaker and occasional forward netted the opening two goals and might have secured his second consecutive hat-trick in three recent Spain appearances but when brought down in the final minute, he generously handed the spot-kick to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Therefore it was the Real Sociedad attacker, scorer of the decisive goal in the Euro 2024 showpiece, who maintained the impressive sequence, matching what Vicente del Bosque's legendary squad accomplished between 2010 and 2013.

Record Equaled

Now, readers may have noticed the asterisk, and correctly so. While FIFA might not classify it as a defeat, during this impressive run Spain did suffer defeat once – 7-5 on penalties to Portugal in the continental tournament decider back in June. Yet officially at least, this present team has matched that legendary squad against which all Spanish sides are measured.

Win in Georgia in a month and the achievement will be exclusively theirs. En route they captured the Nations League in 2023, the European Championships in 2024 and advanced to a Nations League final in 2025; they approach 2026 ranked No. 1, among the favorites 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 outings, aggregate score fifteen-zero. Occurred two moments immediately after the Spanish team scored their opening goals – the third strike being an self-inflicted – but eventually their rivals had not been allowed a solitary shot on target.

The total count read: 33-3, Spain demonstrably playing as Spain. Bulgaria's coach had confessed the sole objective his team could have was to hold out as long as possible. As it turned out, that resistance lasted thirty-three minutes, and Merino's header constituted Spain's eighteenth attempt on target by that point.

Midfield Brilliance

This performance was about all of them, but at the core of it was Pedri, everywhere and nowhere at once: everywhere for Spain, absent for Bulgaria, unable to detect him as he darted through their defense. He completed 101 passes by the time he was substituted to a rapturous applause on 66 minutes, and his were the instances of utmost subtlety, the finest touches and the sharpest too.

When the Valladolid stadium sang his name midway the first half, he had just drifted unmarked into the penalty box again, dinking his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the woodwork, but it was not only that. He had previously lifted a magnificent pass into Álex Baena to strike wide and delivered an additional pass from which Baena was denied.

Continued Pressure

An cleverly weighted pass had created opportunity for Samu Aghehowa up for what ought to have been the opener, and a precise pass saw Oyarzabal scuff his attempt. He received a chance of his own only to be unable to find a clean contact, volleying wide.

But then, shortly after, he delivered an additional ball in. This time Robin Le Normand headed across and Merino headed in. Spain, who had 88% of the ball, then had the advantage. The positioning chart looked like they had exhausted supply of marking paint midway through and a little later Aghehowa might have made it two.

Momentary Threat

But then in part it's the uncertainty, even the injustice, that makes football special. And the initial occasion Bulgaria advanced into Spain's territory they might have equalized, Kiril Despodov suddenly breaking away and striking the side-netting.

Introduced for Aghehowa at the half-time, Borja Iglesias had multiple opportunities in as many minutes before Merino scored again. The cross from the left flank was superb from Álex Grimaldo and there, jumping above everyone, was Merino to power the header down and dash off to do laps round the corner flag.

Closing Stages

As they had after the opener, Bulgaria escaped again, Despodov played through and sending his and their second shot wide and nevertheless the initial instance the away team had a shot on target it was at the wrong end, Atanas Chernev deflecting into his own net. Still it was not quite done, Merino kicked in the shins and stepping aside to let Oyarzabal smash in the 99th goal of De la Fuente's ongoing reign.