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Everything started in Scotland and this impressive streak persists. That memorable evening at Hampden marked merely Luis de la Fuente's second as Spain's manager; many believed it could turn out to be his last assignment. Although a pair of Scott McTominay goals defeating the Spanish national team, while virtually everyone expected his spell would be brief, the coach talked about a pathway emerging - and interestingly, the man once accused of being unrealistic turned out right.

36 months and later, Spain advanced extremely close of World Cup qualification, while simultaneously achieving their 29th consecutive official game without defeat, matching the historic record.

Midfield Masterclass and Decisive Contribution

During an evening when Pedri featured and Mikel Merino made the decisive impact, Spain overcame Bulgaria four-nil to accumulate a perfect dozen from twelve in World Cup qualification, edging closer. The Arsenal playmaker and sometime forward scored the opening two goals and could have earned his second consecutive hat-trick in three recent Spain appearances but when fouled in the final minute, he generously handed the spot-kick to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Thus it was the Real Sociedad attacker, scorer of the winning goal in the European Championship showpiece, who maintained the impressive sequence, matching what Vicente del Bosque's golden generation achieved between 2010 and 2013.

Historic Achievement

Now, readers may have noticed the symbol, and correctly so. Although FIFA might not count it as a defeat, during this impressive run Spain actually lose once – seven-five on penalties to Portugal in the Nations League final back in June. However officially at least, this current team has matched that legendary squad against which all Spanish sides are compared.

Victory in Georgia in thirty days and the record will be exclusively theirs. En route they captured the Nations League in 2023, the European Championships in 2024 and reached a Nations League final in 2025; they head toward 2026 sitting number one, among the favorites once more, just like previous eras.

Total Control

This was "only" versus Bulgaria, admittedly, just as previous matches against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four victories from four outings, aggregate 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: 33-3, Spain clearly being 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 represented Spain's 18th attempt on target by that point.

Pedri's Masterclass

This performance was about the entire team, but at the heart of it was Pedri, everywhere and nowhere at once: present for Spain, absent for Bulgaria, incapable to detect him as he flitted through their defense. He completed 101 passes by the time he was withdrawn to a standing ovation on the sixty-sixth minute, and his were the instances of greatest subtlety, the most exquisite touches and the most incisive as well.

When the José Zorrilla sang his name during the first half, he had just drifted unnoticed into the penalty box once more, dinking his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the woodwork, but it was not only that. He had previously lifted a gorgeous pass into Álex Baena to strike wide and pulled an additional pass from which Baena was denied.

Continued Pressure

An cleverly weighted delivery had set Samu Aghehowa up for what should have been the first goal, and a neat pass saw Oyarzabal scuff his shot. He received a chance of his own only to be unable to find a proper connection, striking wide.

But then, shortly after, he floated another ball in. This time Robin Le Normand headed across and Merino directed in. Spain, who had 88% of the ball, then had the lead. The heat map looked like they had run out of spray paint half way through and a moment later Aghehowa could have made it two-nil.

Momentary Threat

But then in part it's the uncertainty, even the unfairness, that makes football great. And the first time Bulgaria advanced into Spain's half they could have leveled the score, Kiril Despodov suddenly breaking away and hitting the side-netting.

Brought on for Aghehowa at the half-time, Borja Iglesias had three chances in as many minutes before Merino did it again. The cross from the left was superb from Álex Grimaldo and there, leaping above everyone, was Merino to power the header downward and dash off to do laps round the flagpost.

Closing Stages

As they had after the opener, Bulgaria survived again, Despodov played through and sending his and their second shot wide and nevertheless the initial instance the visitors had a shot on target it was at the incorrect goal, Atanas Chernev deflecting into his own net. Still it was not quite done, Merino fouled in the legs and allowing to let Oyarzabal blast in the ninety-ninth goal of De la Fuente's ongoing reign.