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Everything commenced in Scottish soil and this impressive streak persists. That fateful night at Hampden represented merely Luis de la Fuente's second as Spain's manager; numerous observers thought it could turn out to be his final match in charge. Despite a pair of Scott McTominay goals defeating the Spanish national team, whereas almost all spectators anticipated his tenure would be short-lived, the coach talked about a pathway emerging - and interestingly, the man once accused of being unrealistic turned out right.

36 months and later, Spain advanced extremely close of global football qualification, while simultaneously achieving 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 created the decisive impact, Spain overcame Bulgaria 4-0 to secure a perfect dozen from twelve in World Cup qualification, edging closer. The Gunners' midfielder and sometime forward scored the first two goals and might have secured his second hat-trick in three recent Spain matches but when fouled in the closing minute, he generously handed the spot-kick to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Thus it was the Real Sociedad striker, goal-getter of the decisive goal in the Euro 2024 showpiece, who maintained the remarkable sequence, matching what Vicente del Bosque's golden generation achieved between 2010 and 2013.

Record Equaled

Now, readers may have noticed the asterisk, and rightly so. Although FIFA might not classify it as a defeat, during this impressive run Spain did lose once – 7-5 on penalties to Portugal in the continental tournament decider back in June. Yet officially at least, this present team has equaled that legendary squad against which all Spanish sides are compared.

Win 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 approach 2026 sitting number one, among the frontrunners once more, reminiscent of old times.

Complete Domination

The match represented "only" versus Bulgaria, admittedly, similar to previous matches against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four victories from four outings, aggregate score 15-0. Occurred two instances immediately after the Spanish team scored their opening goals – the third being an own goal – but ultimately their rivals had not been allowed a solitary shot on target.

Overall statistics showed: 33-3, Spain demonstrably playing as Spain. Bulgaria's coach had confessed the sole objective his team could have was to resist 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 by that point.

Pedri's Masterclass

The display was about the entire team, but at the core of it was Pedri, ubiquitous and nowhere simultaneously: present for Spain, nowhere for Bulgaria, unable to detect him as he darted through their defense. He completed 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 most incisive too.

When the José Zorrilla sang his name midway the opening period, he had just drifted unnoticed into the area again, chipping his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the woodwork, but it was not just that. He had already floated a gorgeous pass into Álex Baena to volley wide and pulled an additional back from which Baena was blocked.

Continued Pressure

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

But then, almost immediately after, he floated another ball in. This time Robin Le Normand nodded across and Merino headed in. Spain, who had eighty-eight percent of the possession, now had the advantage. The heat map looked like they had run out of spray paint midway through and a moment later Aghehowa could have made it two-nil.

Brief Resistance

But then in part it's the unpredictability, even the injustice, that makes football special. And the first time Bulgaria advanced into Spain's half they could have leveled the score, Kiril Despodov abruptly sprinting away and striking the side-netting.

Brought on for Aghehowa at the half-time, Borja Iglesias had three opportunities in as many minutes before Merino did it again. The delivery from the left flank was superb from Álex Grimaldo and there, jumping above everyone, was Merino to power the header down and dash off to celebrate round the corner flag.

Closing Stages

As they had after the opener, Bulgaria escaped once more, Despodov sent through and putting his and their following shot wide and nevertheless the initial instance the away team had a shot on target it was at the incorrect goal, Atanas Chernev turning into his team's goal. Still it was not completely finished, Merino fouled in the shins and allowing to let Oyarzabal blast in the ninety-ninth goal of De la Fuente's continuing tenure.