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Everything started in Scotland and the momentum remains unbroken. That memorable night at Hampden represented merely Luis de la Fuente's second as Spain's head coach; numerous observers thought it could turn out to be his final match in charge. Despite two Scott McTominay goals overcoming the Spanish national team, while almost all spectators anticipated his tenure would be brief, De la Fuente spoke about a route opening - and interestingly, the manager once accused of living in Disneyland proved right.

Three years and later, Spain moved to within touching distance of World Cup qualification, while simultaneously achieving their 29th straight official game unbeaten, equaling the legendary record.

Pedri's Influence and Merino's Impact

On a night when the Barcelona midfielder featured and Mikel Merino made the difference, Spain defeated Bulgaria four-nil to accumulate a perfect dozen from twelve in qualifying, nearing advancement. The Gunners' midfielder and occasional striker netted the opening two goals and might have earned his second three-goal haul in three recent Spain appearances but when fouled in the final minute, he generously handed the penalty to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

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

Historic Achievement

Currently, you might have observed the asterisk, and rightly so. While FIFA may not count it as a defeat, during this impressive run Spain actually lose once – 7-5 on penalties to Portugal in the continental tournament final back in June. However officially at least, this present team has equaled that historic squad against which all Spanish sides are measured.

Victory in Georgia in thirty days and the record will be theirs alone. Along the way 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 old times.

Complete Domination

The match represented "only" against Bulgaria, admittedly, just as previous matches against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four victories from four, combined score fifteen-zero. Occurred two moments immediately after the Spanish team obtained their opening goals – the third being an self-inflicted – but eventually their opponents had not been permitted a single shot on target.

Overall count read: thirty-three to three, Spain demonstrably being Spain. Bulgaria's coach had admitted the sole objective his team could have was to hold out as long as possible. 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 heart of it was Pedri, everywhere and nowhere at once: present for Spain, absent for Bulgaria, unable 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 66 minutes, and his were the moments of utmost subtlety, the most exquisite touches and the sharpest too.

When the Valladolid stadium chanted his name during the first half, he had just drifted unmarked into the penalty box again, dinking his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the woodwork, but it was not only that. He had previously lifted a magnificent pass into Álex Baena to volley wide and pulled another back from which Baena was denied.

Continued Pressure

An cleverly weighted delivery had set Samu Aghehowa up for what ought to have been the first goal, and a neat lay-off saw Oyarzabal scuff his shot. He got a opportunity of his own only to fail to find a clean connection, striking wide.

But then, shortly after, he delivered another ball in. This time Robin Le Normand headed across and Merino headed in. Spain, who had eighty-eight percent of the possession, then had the advantage. The heat map appeared like they had run out of marking paint midway through and a little later Aghehowa could have made it two-nil.

Momentary Threat

But then in part it's the unpredictability, even the injustice, that makes football great. And the initial occasion Bulgaria advanced into Spain's territory they might have leveled the score, Kiril Despodov suddenly breaking away and striking the outside of the net.

Introduced for Aghehowa at the half-time, Borja Iglesias had multiple chances in as many minutes before Merino scored once more. The delivery 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.

Final Moments

As they had after the opener, Bulgaria survived again, Despodov sent through and putting his and their following shot wide and nevertheless the first time the away team had a shot on target it was at the incorrect goal, Atanas Chernev deflecting into his team's goal. Still it was not completely finished, Merino kicked in the legs and allowing to let Oyarzabal blast in the ninety-ninth goal of De la Fuente's ongoing tenure.