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It all commenced in Scotland and this impressive streak persists. That fateful evening at Hampden marked only Luis de la Fuente's second outing as Spain's head coach; numerous observers thought it might turn out to be his last match in charge. Although two Scott McTominay goals defeating the Spanish national team, whereas virtually everyone anticipated his tenure would be short-lived, the coach talked about a route opening - and interestingly, the manager once accused of being unrealistic proved correct.

Three years and four days, Spain advanced extremely close of World Cup participation, and also achieving their twenty-ninth straight competitive game unbeaten, matching the legendary record.

Midfield Masterclass and Decisive Contribution

During an evening when Pedri featured and Mikel Merino made the difference, Spain defeated Bulgaria 4-0 to secure a perfect dozen from 12 in World Cup qualification, edging closer. The Gunners' midfielder and occasional forward netted the opening two goals and could have earned his second three-goal haul in three Spain appearances but after brought down in the final minute, he selflessly passed the spot-kick to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Thus it was the Real Sociedad attacker, scorer of the decisive goal in the European Championship showpiece, who continued the remarkable sequence, equaling what Vicente del Bosque's legendary squad achieved between 2010 and 2013.

Historic Achievement

Currently, readers may have noticed the symbol, and correctly so. Although FIFA may not count it as a loss, during this impressive run Spain actually suffer defeat once – seven-five on penalties to Portugal in the continental tournament decider back in June. Yet formally at least, this current team has matched that historic team against which all Spanish sides are compared.

Victory in Georgia in thirty days and the record will be theirs alone. 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 number one, among the frontrunners once more, reminiscent of previous eras.

Complete Domination

This was "only" against Bulgaria, it is true, just as previous encounters against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four victories from four, combined score fifteen-zero. There were two moments immediately after La Selección obtained their first two goals – the third being an self-inflicted – but eventually their opponents had not been permitted a single shot on target.

The total count read: thirty-three to three, Spain demonstrably playing as Spain. Bulgaria's coach had confessed the sole objective his team could have was to resist as long as they could. Ultimately, that resistance lasted 33 minutes, and Merino's header represented Spain's 18th attempt on target by that point.

Midfield Brilliance

This performance was about the entire team, but at the heart of it was Pedri, ubiquitous and elusive simultaneously: present for Spain, nowhere for Bulgaria, unable to track him as he flitted through their defense. He executed one hundred and one passes by the time he was withdrawn to a rapturous applause on the sixty-sixth minute, and his were the instances of greatest subtlety, the most exquisite touches and the most incisive too.

When the José Zorrilla chanted his name midway the first half, he had just slipped unmarked into the area 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 volley wide and delivered an additional pass from which Baena was blocked.

Continued Pressure

An cleverly weighted delivery had set Samu Aghehowa up for what ought to have been the opener, and a precise lay-off saw Oyarzabal scuff his attempt. He received a chance of his own only to be unable to find a proper contact, volleying wide.

But then, shortly after, he floated another ball in. This time Robin Le Normand nodded across and Merino headed in. Spain, who had eighty-eight percent of the possession, now had the lead. The positioning chart looked like they had exhausted supply of marking paint half way through and a little later Aghehowa could have made it two.

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 suddenly sprinting away and striking the outside of the net.

Brought on for Aghehowa at the break, Borja Iglesias had multiple chances in as many minutes before Merino did it again. The delivery from the left flank was superb from Álex Grimaldo and there, leaping above everyone, was Merino to direct the header down and dash off to do laps round the flagpost.

Closing Stages

Similar to their reaction after the first goal, Bulgaria survived once more, Despodov sent through and sending his and their second shot wide and yet the first time the visitors had a shot on target it was at the wrong end, Atanas Chernev deflecting into his team's goal. Still it was not completely finished, Merino fouled in the legs and stepping aside to let Oyarzabal blast in the ninety-ninth goal of De la Fuente's continuing reign.