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Everything started in Scottish soil and this impressive streak continues. That fateful evening at Hampden represented only Luis de la Fuente's second as Spain's head coach; numerous observers thought it might prove to be his final match in charge. Although a pair of Scott McTominay goals overcoming the Spanish national team, whereas almost all spectators anticipated his spell would be short-lived, De la Fuente talked about a route opening - and interestingly, the manager once accused of being unrealistic turned out right.

Three years and later, Spain moved extremely close of World Cup qualification, and also racking up their twenty-ninth consecutive official game without defeat, equaling the legendary record.

Midfield Masterclass and Merino's Impact

During an evening when Pedri featured and Mikel Merino created the decisive impact, Spain overcame Bulgaria four-nil to secure a perfect dozen from 12 in qualifying, nearing advancement. The Arsenal midfielder and occasional forward netted the first two goals and could have secured his second hat-trick in three Spain appearances but after fouled in the closing minute, he selflessly passed the penalty to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Therefore it was La Real striker, scorer of the decisive goal in the European Championship final, who maintained the impressive sequence, matching what Vicente del Bosque's legendary squad accomplished between 2010 and 2013.

Record Equaled

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

Victory in Georgia in a month and the achievement will be exclusively theirs. Along the way they won the Nations League in 2023, the European Championships in 2024 and advanced to a Nations League final in 2025; they head toward 2026 sitting number one, among the frontrunners once more, reminiscent of previous eras.

Complete Domination

The match represented "only" versus Bulgaria, admittedly, just as previous matches against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four victories from four outings, combined score 15-0. Occurred two instances immediately after the Spanish team obtained their opening goals – the third strike being an self-inflicted – but ultimately their opponents had not been permitted a single shot on target.

The total statistics read: 33-3, Spain demonstrably playing as Spain. Bulgaria's coach had admitted the only objective his team could have was to hold out as long as possible. As it turned out, that defensive effort lasted thirty-three minutes, and Merino's header represented Spain's 18th attempt on target already.

Midfield Brilliance

The display was about all of them, but at the core of it was Pedri, ubiquitous and nowhere simultaneously: everywhere for Spain, absent for Bulgaria, incapable to detect him as he darted through their defense. He executed one hundred and one passes by the time he was substituted to a rapturous applause on the sixty-sixth minute, and his were the instances of utmost subtlety, the finest touches and the most incisive too.

When the José Zorrilla sang his name during the first half, he had just slipped unmarked into the penalty box again, chipping his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the crossbar, but it was not just that. He had already lifted a gorgeous pass into Álex Baena to volley wide and pulled an additional back from which Baena was denied.

Continued Pressure

A disguised pass had set Samu Aghehowa up for what ought to have been the first goal, and a precise lay-off saw Oyarzabal mishit his shot. He received a chance of his own only to be unable to find a proper connection, volleying wide.

But then, shortly after, he delivered an additional ball in. This time Robin Le Normand nodded across and Merino directed in. Spain, who had eighty-eight percent of the ball, then had the advantage. The positioning chart appeared like they had exhausted supply of marking paint half way through and a moment 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 first time Bulgaria advanced into Spain's half they could have equalized, Kiril Despodov abruptly 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 once more. The delivery from the left flank was excellent from Álex Grimaldo and there, jumping above everyone, was Merino to power the header downward and sprint to do laps around the corner flag.

Closing Stages

As they had after the first goal, Bulgaria survived once more, Despodov played through and sending his and their following shot wide and nevertheless the first time the visitors had a shot on target it was at the incorrect goal, Atanas Chernev deflecting into his own net. Yet it was not completely finished, Merino kicked in the shins and allowing to let Oyarzabal blast in the 99th goal of De la Fuente's ongoing reign.