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It all commenced in Scottish soil and this impressive streak persists. That memorable night at Hampden marked merely Luis de la Fuente's second outing as Spain's head coach; many believed it might prove to be his last match in charge. Although a pair of Scott McTominay goals defeating La Furia Roja, whereas virtually everyone expected his spell would be short-lived, the coach talked about a route opening - and remarkably, the man previously criticized of living in Disneyland turned out right.

36 months and four days, Spain advanced extremely close of World Cup participation, while simultaneously racking up their 29th straight competitive game unbeaten, matching the historic record.

Pedri's Influence and Decisive Contribution

On a night when the Barcelona midfielder played and Mikel Merino made the decisive impact, Spain overcame Bulgaria 4-0 to secure a perfect dozen from twelve in qualifying, nearing advancement. The Arsenal midfielder and sometime striker scored the first two goals and could have earned his second hat-trick in three Spain appearances but after brought down in the closing minute, he selflessly passed the spot-kick to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

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

Historic Achievement

Now, readers may have observed the symbol, and correctly so. While FIFA might not classify it as a loss, during this remarkable run Spain actually suffer defeat once – 7-5 on penalties to Portugal in the Nations League decider back in June. Yet officially at least, this present team has equaled that legendary squad against which all Spanish national teams are measured.

Victory in Georgia in thirty days and the achievement will be exclusively theirs. 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 sitting No. 1, among the favorites once more, just like previous eras.

Total Control

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

Overall count read: thirty-three to three, Spain demonstrably playing as Spain. Bulgaria's coach had confessed the only objective his team could have was to hold out as long as they could. As it turned out, that resistance lasted thirty-three minutes, and Merino's header represented Spain's eighteenth attempt on target already.

Midfield Brilliance

The display was about all of them, but at the core of it was Pedri, everywhere and elusive at once: present for Spain, absent for Bulgaria, unable to detect him as he flitted through their lines. He completed one hundred and one passes by the time he was substituted to a rapturous applause on 66 minutes, and his were the instances of utmost subtlety, the finest touches and the sharpest too.

When the Valladolid stadium sang his name during the opening period, he had just drifted unmarked into the area again, chipping his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the woodwork, but it was not just that. He had previously lifted a magnificent pass into Álex Baena to volley wide and pulled another pass from which Baena was blocked.

Sustained Attack

An cleverly weighted delivery had set Samu Aghehowa up for what should have been the opener, and a precise lay-off saw Oyarzabal scuff his shot. He received a opportunity of his own only to be unable to find a proper contact, striking wide.

But then, almost immediately after, he floated another ball in. This time Robin Le Normand nodded across and Merino directed in. Spain, who had eighty-eight percent of the possession, now had the advantage. The positioning chart appeared like they had exhausted supply of spray paint midway through and a little 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 first time Bulgaria got into Spain's territory they could have leveled the score, Kiril Despodov abruptly sprinting away and striking the outside of the net.

Introduced for Aghehowa at the break, Borja Iglesias had multiple opportunities in as many minutes before Merino scored again. The cross from the left was superb from Álex Grimaldo and there, leaping above everyone, was Merino to direct the header downward and dash off to do laps around the flagpost.

Closing Stages

Similar to their reaction after the opener, Bulgaria survived again, Despodov played through and sending his and their second shot wide and yet the initial instance the visitors had a shot on target it was at the wrong end, Atanas Chernev turning into his team's goal. Still it was not completely done, Merino fouled in the legs and stepping aside to let Oyarzabal smash in the ninety-ninth goal of De la Fuente's continuing tenure.