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It all commenced in Scotland and this impressive streak remains unbroken. That fateful night at Hampden represented merely Luis de la Fuente's second outing as Spain's manager; numerous observers thought it could prove to be his final assignment. Although a pair of Scott McTominay goals defeating the Spanish national team, whereas almost all spectators anticipated his spell would be brief, the coach spoke about a pathway emerging - and interestingly, the man previously criticized of living in Disneyland proved right.

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

Pedri's Influence and Merino's Impact

During an evening when Pedri featured and Mikel Merino created the difference, Spain overcame Bulgaria four-nil to accumulate a perfect dozen from twelve in World Cup qualification, nearing advancement. The Arsenal playmaker and sometime striker netted the opening two goals and might have secured his second hat-trick in three recent Spain appearances but when fouled in the final minute, he generously handed the penalty to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Therefore it was the Real Sociedad striker, goal-getter of the winning goal in the Euro 2024 showpiece, who continued the remarkable sequence, equaling what Vicente del Bosque's legendary squad accomplished between 2010 and 2013.

Historic Achievement

Currently, readers may have noticed the asterisk, and rightly so. Although FIFA might not count it as a loss, during this impressive run Spain did suffer defeat once – 7-5 on penalties to Portugal in the continental tournament decider back in June. Yet formally at least, this current team has equaled that legendary squad against which all Spanish national teams are measured.

Victory in Georgia in a month and the record will be exclusively theirs. Along the way 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 number one, among the frontrunners once more, just like previous eras.

Complete Domination

This was "only" against Bulgaria, it is true, just as previous matches against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four wins from four outings, combined score 15-0. There were two instances immediately after La Selección scored their first two goals – the third strike being an self-inflicted – but eventually their opponents had not been allowed a single shot on target.

Overall count showed: 33-3, Spain demonstrably 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 33 minutes, and Merino's header constituted Spain's eighteenth attempt on target already.

Midfield Brilliance

The display was about all of them, but at the heart of it was Pedri, ubiquitous and nowhere at once: present for Spain, nowhere for Bulgaria, incapable to detect him as he flitted through their defense. He completed one hundred and one passes by the time he was substituted to a standing ovation on 66 minutes, and his were the moments of greatest subtlety, the finest touches and the most incisive too.

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

Sustained Attack

An cleverly weighted pass had created opportunity for Samu Aghehowa up for what should have been the opener, and a precise pass saw Oyarzabal mishit his attempt. He received a chance of his own only to be unable to find a clean contact, 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 88% of the possession, then had the advantage. The heat map looked like they had run out of marking paint midway through and a little later Aghehowa could have made it two.

Momentary Threat

But then in part it's the unpredictability, 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 suddenly breaking away and striking the outside of the net.

Brought on for Aghehowa at the break, Borja Iglesias had multiple chances in as many minutes before Merino scored again. The cross from the left was excellent from Álex Grimaldo and there, leaping above all defenders, was Merino to power the header downward and dash off to do laps round the flagpost.

Final Moments

As they had after the first goal, Bulgaria survived once more, Despodov played through and sending his and their second shot wide and yet the first time the visitors had a shot on target it was at the wrong end, Atanas Chernev turning into his team's goal. Yet it was not quite finished, Merino fouled in the legs and allowing to let Oyarzabal smash in the 99th goal of De la Fuente's continuing reign.