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It all began in Scotland 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 prove to be his last match in charge. Despite two Scott McTominay goals overcoming the Spanish national team, while virtually everyone expected his tenure would be brief, De la Fuente talked about a pathway emerging - and interestingly, the manager once accused of being unrealistic proved right.

36 months and later, Spain advanced extremely close of global football participation, while simultaneously racking up their twenty-ninth straight competitive game unbeaten, matching the historic record.

Pedri's Influence and Merino's Impact

On a night when Pedri played and Mikel Merino created the decisive impact, Spain defeated Bulgaria 4-0 to secure 12 points from twelve in World Cup qualification, nearing advancement. The Arsenal playmaker and sometime forward netted the opening two goals and could have secured his second consecutive three-goal haul in three recent Spain matches but when brought down in the closing minute, he generously handed the penalty to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

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

Record Equaled

Now, readers may have noticed the asterisk, and correctly so. While FIFA may not classify it as a defeat, during this impressive run Spain actually lose once – 7-5 on penalties to Portugal in the continental tournament decider back in June. However officially at least, this present team has matched that legendary team against which all Spanish national teams are compared.

Victory in Georgia in a month and the record will be exclusively theirs. En route they won the Nations League in 2023, the European Championships in 2024 and reached a Nations League final in 2025; they approach 2026 ranked No. 1, among the favorites once more, just like previous eras.

Complete Domination

This was "only" against Bulgaria, it is true, similar to previous encounters against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four victories from four outings, aggregate score fifteen-zero. Occurred two moments immediately after La Selección scored their first two goals – the third being an own goal – but eventually their opponents had not been permitted a single shot on target.

Overall statistics showed: thirty-three to three, Spain demonstrably being Spain. Bulgaria's coach had confessed 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 constituted Spain's 18th attempt on target already.

Midfield Brilliance

This performance was about the entire team, but at the heart of it was Pedri, ubiquitous and elusive simultaneously: present for Spain, absent for Bulgaria, incapable to detect him as he flitted through their lines. He executed one hundred and one passes by the time he was withdrawn to a standing ovation on the sixty-sixth minute, and his were the moments of utmost subtlety, the finest touches and the sharpest too.

When the Valladolid stadium chanted his name midway the opening period, he had just drifted unnoticed into the penalty box again, dinking his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the crossbar, 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 blocked.

Sustained Attack

An cleverly weighted delivery had created opportunity for Samu Aghehowa up for what ought to have been the first goal, and a precise pass saw Oyarzabal scuff his attempt. He received a opportunity of his own only to fail to find a proper connection, striking wide.

But then, almost immediately 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, then had the advantage. The positioning chart looked like they had run out of spray paint half way through and a little later Aghehowa might have made it two-nil.

Brief Resistance

But then in part it's the uncertainty, even the unfairness, that makes football great. And the initial occasion Bulgaria advanced into Spain's territory they might have equalized, Kiril Despodov suddenly sprinting away and hitting the outside of the net.

Brought on for Aghehowa at the break, Borja Iglesias had three opportunities in as many minutes before Merino scored again. The cross from the left flank was superb from Álex Grimaldo and there, jumping above all defenders, was Merino to direct the header down and sprint to do laps around the corner flag.

Closing Stages

As they had after the opener, Bulgaria survived again, Despodov played through and sending his and their second shot wide and yet the first time the away team had a shot on target it was at the wrong end, Atanas Chernev turning into his team's goal. Yet it was not quite done, Merino kicked in the shins and allowing to let Oyarzabal blast in the ninety-ninth goal of De la Fuente's ongoing reign.