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Everything started in Scotland and this impressive streak continues. That memorable night at Hampden represented merely Luis de la Fuente's second outing as Spain's head coach; many believed it might prove to be his last match in charge. Despite two Scott McTominay goals overcoming La Furia Roja, whereas almost all spectators anticipated his spell would be short-lived, the coach talked about a route emerging - and remarkably, the man previously criticized of being unrealistic proved correct.

36 months and four days, Spain advanced to within touching distance of global football participation, and also racking up their twenty-ninth straight official game unbeaten, equaling the historic record.

Pedri's Influence and Merino's Impact

On a night when Pedri played and Mikel Merino made the difference, Spain defeated Bulgaria 4-0 to secure 12 points from 12 in qualifying, edging closer. The Arsenal midfielder and occasional striker scored the first two goals and could have earned his second hat-trick in three recent Spain appearances but when brought down in the closing minute, he selflessly passed the spot-kick to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Therefore it was the Real Sociedad striker, scorer of the winning goal in the Euro 2024 final, who maintained the remarkable sequence, equaling what Vicente del Bosque's legendary squad accomplished between 2010 and 2013.

Record Equaled

Now, readers may have noticed the symbol, and rightly so. While FIFA may not classify it as a loss, during this impressive run Spain actually suffer defeat once – 7-5 on penalties to Portugal in the Nations League final back in June. Yet formally at least, this present team has equaled that historic team against which all Spanish national teams are compared.

Win in Georgia in a month and the achievement will be theirs alone. Along the way they captured the Nations League in 2023, the European Championships in 2024 and reached a Nations League final in 2025; they head toward 2026 ranked No. 1, among the favorites once more, reminiscent of old times.

Complete Domination

The match represented "only" versus Bulgaria, it is true, similar to previous matches against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four wins from four, combined score 15-0. Occurred two instances immediately after the Spanish team scored their first two goals – the third being an self-inflicted – but eventually their opponents had not been allowed a single shot on target.

The total count read: thirty-three to three, Spain demonstrably being Spain. Bulgaria's coach had admitted the sole objective his team could have was to hold out as long as they could. Ultimately, that defensive effort lasted thirty-three minutes, and Merino's header represented Spain's 18th attempt on target by that point.

Pedri's Masterclass

This performance was about all of them, but at the core of it was Pedri, everywhere and nowhere simultaneously: present for Spain, nowhere for Bulgaria, incapable to track him as he flitted through their defense. He executed 101 passes by the time he was withdrawn to a rapturous applause on 66 minutes, and his were the instances of greatest subtlety, the finest touches and the most incisive too.

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

Sustained Attack

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

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

Momentary Threat

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

Brought on for Aghehowa at the half-time, Borja Iglesias had three opportunities in as many minutes before Merino scored once more. The delivery from the left was superb from Álex Grimaldo and there, jumping above all defenders, was Merino to power the header down and sprint to do laps around the flagpost.

Closing Stages

As they had after the first goal, Bulgaria survived once more, Despodov played through and putting his and their second shot wide and nevertheless the initial instance the visitors had a shot on target it was at the wrong end, Atanas Chernev deflecting into his team's goal. Yet it was not quite finished, Merino kicked in the legs and stepping aside to let Oyarzabal smash in the 99th goal of De la Fuente's ongoing reign.