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Everything started in Scottish soil and this impressive streak continues. That memorable evening at Hampden represented only Luis de la Fuente's second as Spain's head coach; many believed it might turn out to be his last assignment. Despite two Scott McTominay goals overcoming La Furia Roja, while virtually everyone expected his tenure would be short-lived, the coach spoke about a pathway opening - and interestingly, the man once accused of living in Disneyland turned out right.

36 months and four days, Spain advanced to within touching distance of World Cup participation, while simultaneously achieving their 29th straight official game without defeat, equaling the historic record.

Midfield Masterclass and Decisive Contribution

On a night when Pedri featured and Mikel Merino made the difference, Spain defeated Bulgaria 4-0 to accumulate 12 points from 12 in qualifying, edging closer. The Gunners' midfielder and occasional striker netted the first two goals and might have secured his second three-goal haul in three recent Spain matches but after 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 maintained the impressive sequence, equaling what Vicente del Bosque's golden generation accomplished between 2010 and 2013.

Historic Achievement

Currently, readers may have observed the asterisk, and correctly so. Although FIFA might not count it as a defeat, during this remarkable run Spain did lose once – 7-5 on penalties to Portugal in the Nations League final back in June. Yet officially at least, this current team has equaled that legendary squad against which all Spanish sides are measured.

Win 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 reached a Nations League final in 2025; they head toward 2026 sitting No. 1, among the favorites once more, just like previous eras.

Complete Domination

The match represented "only" against Bulgaria, admittedly, similar to previous matches against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four wins from four outings, aggregate score fifteen-zero. Occurred two moments immediately after La Selección obtained their first two goals – the third strike being an self-inflicted – but eventually their opponents 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 confessed the sole objective his team could have was to hold out as long as possible. Ultimately, that defensive effort lasted thirty-three minutes, and Merino's header represented Spain's 18th 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 at once: present for Spain, nowhere for Bulgaria, incapable to detect him as he darted through their lines. He completed one hundred and one passes by the time he was substituted to a rapturous applause on the sixty-sixth minute, and his were the moments of greatest subtlety, the finest touches and the sharpest as well.

When the José Zorrilla sang his name during the first half, he had just drifted unnoticed into the area again, chipping his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the crossbar, but it was not just that. He had previously floated a gorgeous pass into Álex Baena to volley wide and pulled another pass from which Baena was blocked.

Continued Pressure

An cleverly weighted pass had created opportunity for Samu Aghehowa up for what ought to have been the opener, and a neat pass saw Oyarzabal mishit his attempt. He received a chance of his own only to fail to find a proper connection, volleying wide.

But then, almost immediately after, he floated an additional ball in. This time Robin Le Normand headed across and Merino directed in. Spain, who had eighty-eight percent of the ball, now had the advantage. The positioning chart appeared like they had exhausted supply of spray paint midway through and a moment later Aghehowa could have made it two.

Momentary Threat

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 might have equalized, Kiril Despodov suddenly breaking away and striking the side-netting.

Brought on for Aghehowa at the break, Borja Iglesias had multiple opportunities in as many minutes before Merino did it again. The cross from the left was excellent from Álex Grimaldo and there, jumping above all defenders, was Merino to power the header downward and dash off to celebrate round the corner flag.

Closing Stages

Similar to their reaction after the opener, Bulgaria survived again, 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 deflecting into his team's goal. Yet it was not quite finished, Merino kicked in the legs and stepping aside to let Oyarzabal blast in the 99th goal of De la Fuente's continuing reign.