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It all commenced in Scotland and this impressive streak continues. That fateful evening at Hampden marked only Luis de la Fuente's second outing as Spain's manager; many believed it could turn out to be his last assignment. Despite two Scott McTominay goals defeating La Furia Roja, while almost all spectators anticipated his tenure would be brief, De la Fuente spoke about a route opening - and remarkably, the man previously criticized of being unrealistic proved correct.

Three years and four days, Spain moved extremely close of global football qualification, while simultaneously achieving their twenty-ninth consecutive 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 12 points from twelve in World Cup qualification, edging closer. The Gunners' midfielder and occasional forward scored the opening two goals and could have earned his second hat-trick in three Spain matches but after fouled in the final minute, he generously handed the penalty to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

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

Record Equaled

Currently, you might have observed the symbol, and correctly so. Although FIFA might not classify it as a loss, during this impressive run Spain did lose 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 achievement will be exclusively theirs. En route they captured the Nations League in 2023, the European Championships in 2024 and reached a Nations League final in 2025; they head toward 2026 ranked No. 1, among the favorites once more, reminiscent of old times.

Complete Domination

The match represented "only" against Bulgaria, it is true, 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 scored their first two goals – the third being an self-inflicted – but eventually their opponents had not been allowed a solitary shot on target.

The total statistics showed: 33-3, Spain clearly playing as Spain. Bulgaria's coach had admitted the only objective his team could have was to resist as long as possible. As it turned out, that resistance lasted thirty-three minutes, and Merino's header represented Spain's eighteenth attempt on target already.

Pedri's Masterclass

The display was about all of them, but at the core of it was Pedri, ubiquitous and elusive at once: everywhere for Spain, absent for Bulgaria, incapable to track him as he darted through their defense. He executed 101 passes by the time he was withdrawn to a standing ovation on the sixty-sixth minute, and his were the instances of greatest subtlety, the finest touches and the most incisive too.

When the José Zorrilla sang his name midway the opening period, he had just drifted unnoticed into the penalty box once more, chipping his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the crossbar, but it was not just that. He had already lifted a magnificent pass into Álex Baena to strike wide and pulled an additional back from which Baena was blocked.

Continued Pressure

An cleverly weighted pass had created opportunity for Samu Aghehowa up for what should have been the opener, and a neat pass saw Oyarzabal scuff his shot. He received a opportunity of his own only to fail to find a clean contact, volleying 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 ball, then had the lead. The heat map looked like they had run out of spray paint midway through and a little later Aghehowa could have made it two-nil.

Momentary Threat

But then in part it's the uncertainty, even the injustice, that makes football great. And the initial occasion Bulgaria got into Spain's half they could have equalized, Kiril Despodov suddenly breaking away and striking the outside of the net.

Introduced for Aghehowa at the break, Borja Iglesias had three chances in as many minutes before Merino did it once more. The delivery from the left flank was superb from Álex Grimaldo and there, leaping above everyone, was Merino to direct the header downward and sprint to do laps around the flagpost.

Final Moments

As they had after the opener, Bulgaria survived again, Despodov sent through and sending his and their second shot wide and yet the first time the away team had a shot on target it was at the incorrect goal, Atanas Chernev turning into his own net. Still it was not quite done, Merino fouled in the shins and allowing to let Oyarzabal smash in the 99th goal of De la Fuente's ongoing reign.