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It all began in Scotland and this impressive streak persists. That fateful night at Hampden represented merely Luis de la Fuente's second outing as Spain's manager; numerous observers thought it could prove to be his final assignment. Despite a pair of Scott McTominay goals defeating the Spanish national team, whereas almost all spectators anticipated his spell would be short-lived, De la Fuente spoke about a pathway opening - and interestingly, the man once accused of living in Disneyland proved correct.

Three years and later, Spain moved to within touching distance of global football qualification, and also achieving their twenty-ninth straight official game without defeat, equaling the legendary record.

Pedri's Influence and Merino's Impact

On a night when Pedri featured and Mikel Merino created the decisive impact, Spain overcame Bulgaria 4-0 to secure a perfect dozen from 12 in qualifying, edging closer. The Gunners' playmaker and sometime striker scored the first two goals and could have earned his second consecutive hat-trick in three Spain appearances but after brought down in the final minute, he generously handed the spot-kick to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Therefore it was La Real attacker, scorer of the winning goal in the Euro 2024 final, who maintained the impressive sequence, equaling what Vicente del Bosque's legendary squad accomplished between 2010 and 2013.

Historic Achievement

Currently, you might have observed the asterisk, and rightly so. Although FIFA may not count it as a defeat, during this impressive run Spain did suffer defeat 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 national teams are measured.

Victory in Georgia in a month and the achievement 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 head toward 2026 sitting No. 1, among the favorites once more, reminiscent of previous eras.

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 outings, combined score fifteen-zero. There were two instances immediately after the Spanish team scored their opening goals – the third being an self-inflicted – but ultimately their rivals had not been allowed a single shot on target.

Overall count showed: thirty-three to three, Spain clearly being Spain. Bulgaria's coach had confessed 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 constituted Spain's 18th attempt on target already.

Pedri's Masterclass

This performance was about all of them, but at the core of it was Pedri, everywhere and nowhere simultaneously: present for Spain, absent for Bulgaria, incapable to track 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 finest touches and the most incisive too.

When the José Zorrilla chanted his name midway the first half, he had just drifted unnoticed into the penalty box once more, dinking his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the woodwork, but it was not only that. He had already lifted a magnificent pass into Álex Baena to volley wide and pulled another back from which Baena was denied.

Sustained Attack

A disguised pass had created opportunity for Samu Aghehowa up for what ought to have been the opener, and a precise pass saw Oyarzabal scuff his shot. He received a opportunity of his own only to be unable to find a clean contact, volleying wide.

But then, almost immediately 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 ball, then had the advantage. The heat map looked like they had run out of spray paint midway through and a moment later Aghehowa might have made it two.

Momentary Threat

But then in part it's the uncertainty, even the unfairness, that makes football great. And the initial occasion Bulgaria advanced into Spain's half they might have leveled the score, Kiril Despodov suddenly breaking away and striking the side-netting.

Introduced for Aghehowa at the break, Borja Iglesias had multiple chances in as many minutes before Merino did it once more. The cross from the left was excellent from Álex Grimaldo and there, leaping above everyone, was Merino to direct the header downward and dash off 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 following shot wide and yet the first time the visitors had a shot on target it was at the wrong end, Atanas Chernev deflecting into his own net. Still it was not quite finished, Merino kicked in the shins and stepping aside to let Oyarzabal smash in the ninety-ninth goal of De la Fuente's ongoing reign.