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It all started in Scotland and this impressive streak remains unbroken. That memorable evening at Hampden represented merely Luis de la Fuente's second as Spain's manager; many believed it might turn out to be his last assignment. Despite a pair of Scott McTominay goals overcoming La Furia Roja, while almost all spectators expected his spell would be brief, the coach talked about a route emerging - and remarkably, the man once accused of living in Disneyland proved right.

Three years and four days, Spain advanced to within touching distance of global football participation, while simultaneously racking up their 29th consecutive official game without defeat, equaling the historic record.

Pedri's Influence and Decisive Contribution

On a night when the Barcelona midfielder played and Mikel Merino created the decisive impact, Spain overcame Bulgaria 4-0 to secure 12 points from 12 in World Cup qualification, edging closer. The Arsenal midfielder and sometime striker scored the first two goals and could have earned his second consecutive hat-trick in three Spain matches but when fouled 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 Euro 2024 final, who continued the remarkable sequence, matching what Vicente del Bosque's legendary squad accomplished between 2010 and 2013.

Record Equaled

Currently, readers may have observed the symbol, and correctly so. Although FIFA might not count it as a defeat, during this impressive run Spain did lose once – 7-5 on penalties to Portugal in the continental tournament decider back in June. However officially at least, this present team has equaled that legendary team against which all Spanish national teams are compared.

Win in Georgia in a month and the record will be theirs alone. Along the way they captured the Nations League in 2023, the European Championships in 2024 and advanced to a Nations League final in 2025; they approach 2026 sitting No. 1, among the favorites once more, reminiscent of previous eras.

Complete Domination

The match represented "only" versus Bulgaria, admittedly, just as previous matches against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four wins from four outings, combined score 15-0. There were two instances immediately after the Spanish team obtained their opening goals – the third being an own goal – but ultimately their opponents had not been allowed a solitary shot on target.

The total statistics read: thirty-three to three, Spain clearly playing as Spain. Bulgaria's coach had confessed the sole objective his team could have was to resist as long as they could. As it turned out, that defensive effort lasted thirty-three minutes, and Merino's header represented Spain's 18th attempt on target by that point.

Pedri's Masterclass

The display was about the entire team, but at the heart of it was Pedri, ubiquitous and elusive simultaneously: 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 withdrawn to a rapturous applause on 66 minutes, and his were the instances of greatest subtlety, the most exquisite touches and the most incisive too.

When the José Zorrilla sang his name during the opening period, he had just slipped unnoticed into the penalty box again, chipping his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the crossbar, but it was not only that. He had previously floated a magnificent pass into Álex Baena to strike wide and delivered another back from which Baena was blocked.

Continued Pressure

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

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

Brief Resistance

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

Introduced for Aghehowa at the break, Borja Iglesias had three opportunities in as many minutes before Merino did it once more. The cross from the left flank was excellent from Álex Grimaldo and there, leaping above all defenders, was Merino to power the header down and sprint to do laps round the flagpost.

Closing Stages

As they had after the first goal, Bulgaria survived once more, Despodov played through and putting his and their following 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 own net. Still it was not completely finished, Merino kicked in the legs and allowing to let Oyarzabal smash in the ninety-ninth goal of De la Fuente's ongoing tenure.