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Everything began in Scottish soil and this impressive streak remains unbroken. That fateful night at Hampden represented only Luis de la Fuente's second outing as Spain's manager; many believed it could turn out to be his final assignment. Although a pair of Scott McTominay goals overcoming La Furia Roja, whereas virtually everyone anticipated his spell would be short-lived, De la Fuente talked about a route emerging - and remarkably, the manager once accused of being unrealistic turned out right.

36 months and four days, Spain advanced to within touching distance of World Cup qualification, and also racking up their twenty-ninth 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 difference, Spain overcame Bulgaria four-nil to secure a perfect dozen from 12 in qualifying, nearing advancement. The Arsenal midfielder and occasional striker scored the opening two goals and might have secured his second consecutive three-goal haul in three recent Spain appearances but after brought down in the closing minute, he selflessly passed the penalty to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Thus it was the Real Sociedad attacker, scorer of the decisive goal in the Euro 2024 showpiece, who continued the impressive sequence, equaling what Vicente del Bosque's golden generation achieved between 2010 and 2013.

Historic Achievement

Currently, readers may have observed the symbol, and rightly so. While FIFA may not count it as a defeat, during this impressive run Spain did suffer defeat once – 7-5 on penalties to Portugal in the Nations League final back in June. Yet formally 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. Along the way they captured the Nations League in 2023, the European Championships in 2024 and reached a Nations League final in 2025; they approach 2026 sitting number one, among the frontrunners once more, reminiscent of old times.

Total Control

This was "only" versus Bulgaria, it is true, similar to previous matches against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four wins from four, combined score 15-0. There were two moments immediately after La Selección obtained their first two goals – the third strike being an own goal – but ultimately their opponents had not been allowed a solitary shot on target.

The total count showed: 33-3, Spain clearly being 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 33 minutes, and Merino's header represented Spain's eighteenth attempt on target by that point.

Midfield Brilliance

The display was about all of them, but at the heart of it was Pedri, everywhere and nowhere simultaneously: everywhere for Spain, nowhere for Bulgaria, incapable to detect him as he flitted through their defense. He executed 101 passes by the time he was substituted to a standing ovation on the sixty-sixth minute, and his were the instances of greatest subtlety, the most exquisite touches and the sharpest as well.

When the Valladolid stadium sang his name during the opening period, he had just slipped unnoticed into the area once more, chipping his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the crossbar, but it was not only that. He had already lifted a magnificent pass into Álex Baena to volley wide and pulled an additional back from which Baena was blocked.

Sustained Attack

An cleverly weighted pass had set Samu Aghehowa up for what ought to have been the opener, and a neat pass saw Oyarzabal scuff his shot. He got a chance of his own only to fail to find a clean contact, striking wide.

But then, almost immediately after, he floated an additional ball in. This time Robin Le Normand nodded across and Merino directed in. Spain, who had 88% of the possession, then had the lead. The heat map looked like they had exhausted supply of marking paint half way through and a moment later Aghehowa might have made it two.

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 might have leveled the score, Kiril Despodov abruptly breaking away and hitting the outside of the net.

Brought on for Aghehowa at the half-time, Borja Iglesias had multiple chances in as many minutes before Merino scored 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 sprint to celebrate round the flagpost.

Final Moments

Similar to their reaction after the first goal, Bulgaria escaped once more, Despodov played through and putting his and their second shot wide and nevertheless the first time the visitors had a shot on target it was at the wrong end, Atanas Chernev turning into his own net. Yet it was not completely done, Merino kicked in the shins and allowing to let Oyarzabal smash in the 99th goal of De la Fuente's ongoing reign.