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It all started in Scotland and this impressive streak continues. That memorable night at Hampden marked only Luis de la Fuente's second outing as Spain's head coach; numerous observers thought it could turn out to be his final assignment. Although two Scott McTominay goals defeating La Furia Roja, while virtually everyone anticipated his spell would be brief, the coach spoke about a route emerging - and interestingly, the man once accused of living in Disneyland turned out correct.

36 months and later, Spain advanced to within touching distance of World Cup qualification, and also achieving their 29th straight official game unbeaten, equaling the legendary record.

Pedri's Influence and Decisive Contribution

On a night when the Barcelona midfielder featured and Mikel Merino made the decisive impact, Spain defeated Bulgaria 4-0 to accumulate 12 points from twelve in World Cup qualification, edging closer. The Gunners' midfielder and occasional forward netted the first two goals and could have secured his second hat-trick in three recent Spain appearances but after fouled in the final minute, he generously handed the spot-kick to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Therefore it was the Real Sociedad striker, scorer of the decisive goal in the Euro 2024 final, who continued the remarkable sequence, equaling what Vicente del Bosque's golden generation accomplished between 2010 and 2013.

Record Equaled

Currently, readers may have noticed the symbol, and rightly so. While FIFA may not classify it as a defeat, during this remarkable run Spain actually suffer defeat once – 7-5 on penalties to Portugal in the Nations League decider back in June. However officially at least, this current team has matched that historic team against which all Spanish sides are measured.

Victory 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 head toward 2026 ranked No. 1, among the frontrunners once more, just like old times.

Complete Domination

This was "only" against Bulgaria, admittedly, just as previous encounters against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four victories from four outings, aggregate score fifteen-zero. Occurred two instances immediately after the Spanish team obtained their opening goals – the third being an self-inflicted – but ultimately their opponents had not been allowed a single shot on target.

The total count showed: thirty-three to three, Spain clearly playing as Spain. Bulgaria's coach had admitted the only objective his team could have was to hold out as long as they could. Ultimately, that resistance lasted thirty-three minutes, and Merino's header constituted Spain's eighteenth attempt on target already.

Midfield Brilliance

The display was about the entire team, but at the core of it was Pedri, ubiquitous and nowhere at once: everywhere for Spain, absent for Bulgaria, incapable to detect him as he flitted through their lines. He completed one hundred and one passes by the time he was withdrawn to a standing ovation on 66 minutes, and his were the instances of greatest subtlety, the most exquisite touches and the sharpest as well.

When the José Zorrilla chanted his name midway the opening period, he had just drifted unmarked into the penalty box once more, dinking his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the woodwork, but it was not just that. He had already lifted a magnificent pass into Álex Baena to strike wide and delivered another back from which Baena was denied.

Sustained Attack

A disguised pass had created opportunity for Samu Aghehowa up for what ought to have been the opener, and a precise pass saw Oyarzabal scuff his shot. He received a opportunity of his own only to be unable to find a proper connection, striking wide.

But then, almost immediately after, he delivered 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 advantage. The positioning chart looked like they had exhausted supply of spray paint half way through and a little later Aghehowa might have made it two.

Brief Resistance

But then in part it's the uncertainty, even the injustice, that makes football great. And the initial occasion 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 multiple chances in as many minutes before Merino did it again. The cross from the left 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 survived once more, Despodov sent through and putting his and their following shot wide and yet the initial instance the away team had a shot on target it was at the wrong end, Atanas Chernev turning into his own net. Still it was not completely done, Merino fouled in the legs and stepping aside to let Oyarzabal smash in the 99th goal of De la Fuente's ongoing tenure.