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It all started in Scotland and this impressive streak continues. That memorable night at Hampden represented only Luis de la Fuente's second as Spain's head coach; many believed it might prove to be his final assignment. Despite a pair of Scott McTominay goals overcoming the Spanish national team, while virtually everyone expected his tenure would be brief, De la Fuente talked about a pathway emerging - and remarkably, the man previously criticized of living in Disneyland proved correct.

36 months and four days, Spain advanced extremely close of global football participation, while simultaneously racking up their twenty-ninth consecutive official game unbeaten, equaling the historic record.

Pedri's Influence and Merino's Impact

During an evening when the Barcelona midfielder featured and Mikel Merino created the decisive impact, Spain overcame Bulgaria 4-0 to accumulate 12 points from 12 in World Cup qualification, edging closer. The Gunners' playmaker and occasional striker scored the opening two goals and could have secured his second three-goal haul in three Spain appearances but when brought down in the closing minute, he generously handed the spot-kick to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Therefore it was La Real striker, goal-getter of the winning goal in the European Championship showpiece, who maintained the remarkable sequence, matching what Vicente del Bosque's legendary squad accomplished between 2010 and 2013.

Record Equaled

Currently, you might have observed the symbol, and correctly so. Although FIFA might not count it as a defeat, during this impressive run Spain actually suffer defeat once – seven-five on penalties to Portugal in the continental tournament decider back in June. However formally at least, this current team has equaled that legendary team against which all Spanish sides are measured.

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

Complete Domination

This was "only" against Bulgaria, it is true, just as previous matches against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four wins from four outings, combined score 15-0. Occurred two instances immediately after the Spanish team obtained their first two goals – the third strike being an self-inflicted – but ultimately their rivals had not been allowed a solitary shot on target.

The total statistics showed: 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 possible. As it turned out, that defensive effort lasted 33 minutes, and Merino's header constituted Spain's 18th attempt on target by that point.

Pedri's Masterclass

The display was about all of them, but at the core of it was Pedri, everywhere and elusive at once: present for Spain, nowhere for Bulgaria, incapable to detect him as he flitted through their lines. He executed one hundred and one passes by the time he was substituted to a standing ovation on the sixty-sixth minute, and his were the instances of utmost subtlety, the most exquisite touches and the most incisive too.

When the José Zorrilla sang his name during the opening period, he had just drifted unmarked into the area again, dinking his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the crossbar, but it was not just that. He had previously floated a gorgeous pass into Álex Baena to strike wide and delivered another pass from which Baena was denied.

Sustained Attack

An cleverly weighted pass had set Samu Aghehowa up for what ought to have been the first goal, and a precise lay-off saw Oyarzabal mishit his shot. He got a chance of his own only to be unable to find a clean contact, striking wide.

But then, shortly after, he delivered an additional ball in. This time Robin Le Normand headed across and Merino directed in. Spain, who had eighty-eight percent of the possession, now had the lead. The heat map appeared like they had run out of marking paint half way through and a moment later Aghehowa might have made it two-nil.

Momentary Threat

But then in part it's the unpredictability, even the injustice, that makes football special. And the initial occasion Bulgaria got into Spain's half they could have leveled the score, Kiril Despodov abruptly sprinting away and striking the side-netting.

Introduced for Aghehowa at the break, Borja Iglesias had multiple opportunities in as many minutes before Merino did it again. The cross from the left flank was excellent from Álex Grimaldo and there, leaping above everyone, was Merino to direct the header downward and sprint to celebrate around the flagpost.

Final Moments

As they had after the first goal, Bulgaria escaped again, Despodov sent through and sending his and their second shot wide and yet the initial instance the visitors had a shot on target it was at the incorrect goal, Atanas Chernev deflecting into his team's goal. Yet it was not quite done, Merino fouled in the shins and stepping aside to let Oyarzabal smash in the 99th goal of De la Fuente's ongoing tenure.