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Everything began 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 might prove to be his last assignment. Despite a pair of Scott McTominay goals defeating La Furia Roja, while almost all spectators anticipated his spell would be short-lived, De la Fuente talked about a pathway emerging - and interestingly, the man previously criticized of being unrealistic proved right.

36 months and four days, Spain moved to within touching distance of global football participation, while simultaneously achieving their twenty-ninth consecutive official game without defeat, matching the historic record.

Midfield Masterclass and Merino's Impact

On a night when Pedri played and Mikel Merino made the difference, Spain defeated Bulgaria four-nil to secure a perfect dozen from 12 in qualifying, edging closer. The Gunners' playmaker and sometime forward netted the first two goals and might have earned his second consecutive three-goal haul in three recent Spain matches but when brought down in the final minute, he generously handed the penalty 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 legendary squad achieved between 2010 and 2013.

Historic Achievement

Currently, readers may have observed the symbol, and rightly so. Although FIFA may not classify it as a loss, during this remarkable run Spain actually lose once – seven-five on penalties to Portugal in the continental tournament decider back in June. However officially at least, this present team has matched that historic team against which all Spanish national teams are measured.

Win in Georgia in thirty days and the record will be theirs alone. En route they won the Nations League in 2023, the European Championships in 2024 and reached a Nations League final in 2025; they head toward 2026 ranked number one, among the favorites once more, reminiscent of old times.

Complete Domination

This was "only" versus Bulgaria, admittedly, similar to previous encounters against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four victories from four, combined score 15-0. There were two instances immediately after the Spanish team obtained their first two goals – the third strike being an own goal – but ultimately their rivals had not been permitted a solitary shot on target.

The total statistics read: thirty-three to three, Spain clearly playing as Spain. Bulgaria's coach had admitted the only objective his team could have was to resist 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

This performance was about all of them, but at the core of it was Pedri, ubiquitous and nowhere simultaneously: everywhere for Spain, nowhere for Bulgaria, unable to detect him as he flitted through their lines. He executed 101 passes by the time he was withdrawn to a standing ovation on 66 minutes, and his were the moments of greatest subtlety, the finest touches and the sharpest as well.

When the Valladolid stadium chanted his name midway the first half, he had just slipped unnoticed into the penalty box once more, chipping his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the crossbar, but it was not only that. He had previously lifted a gorgeous pass into Álex Baena to volley wide and delivered another pass from which Baena was blocked.

Continued Pressure

A disguised pass had set Samu Aghehowa up for what should have been the opener, and a neat pass saw Oyarzabal mishit his shot. He got a opportunity of his own only to be unable to find a proper contact, volleying wide.

But then, shortly after, he floated an additional ball in. This time Robin Le Normand headed across and Merino headed in. Spain, who had 88% of the ball, now had the advantage. The heat map appeared like they had run out of spray paint midway through and a moment later Aghehowa might have made it two-nil.

Brief Resistance

But then in part it's the unpredictability, even the unfairness, that makes football special. And the first time Bulgaria advanced into Spain's territory they could have leveled the score, Kiril Despodov suddenly breaking away and hitting the outside of the net.

Introduced for Aghehowa at the half-time, Borja Iglesias had multiple chances in as many minutes before Merino did it once more. The cross from the left flank was superb from Álex Grimaldo and there, leaping above all defenders, was Merino to direct the header down and dash off to do laps round the flagpost.

Closing Stages

As they had after the first goal, Bulgaria escaped again, 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 deflecting into his own net. Still it was not completely done, Merino kicked in the legs and allowing to let Oyarzabal smash in the ninety-ninth goal of De la Fuente's ongoing tenure.