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It all commenced in Scottish soil and this impressive streak persists. That memorable evening at Hampden marked only Luis de la Fuente's second as Spain's head coach; numerous observers thought it could turn out to be his last match in charge. Although two Scott McTominay goals defeating the Spanish national team, while almost all spectators anticipated his tenure would be brief, De la Fuente talked about a route opening - and remarkably, the manager previously criticized of being unrealistic proved correct.

36 months and later, Spain moved extremely close of global football participation, and also racking up their twenty-ninth straight official game without defeat, matching the historic record.

Midfield Masterclass and Merino's Impact

During an evening when Pedri featured and Mikel Merino created the difference, Spain overcame Bulgaria 4-0 to accumulate 12 points from 12 in qualifying, nearing advancement. The Arsenal playmaker and occasional striker netted the first two goals and could have secured his second three-goal haul in three recent Spain matches but when fouled in the closing minute, he selflessly passed the spot-kick to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Thus it was the Real Sociedad striker, goal-getter of the decisive goal in the European Championship final, who continued the impressive sequence, equaling what Vicente del Bosque's golden generation accomplished between 2010 and 2013.

Record Equaled

Currently, readers may have observed the asterisk, and correctly so. While FIFA may not count it as a loss, during this remarkable run Spain did lose once – 7-5 on penalties to Portugal in the Nations League final back in June. However officially at least, this current team has equaled that legendary team against which all Spanish sides are compared.

Victory in Georgia in a month and the record 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 ranked No. 1, among the favorites once more, just like previous eras.

Complete Domination

The match represented "only" versus Bulgaria, admittedly, similar to previous encounters 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 scored their opening goals – the third being an self-inflicted – but eventually their opponents had not been permitted a solitary shot on target.

The total count showed: 33-3, Spain demonstrably being Spain. Bulgaria's coach had admitted the only objective his team could have was to resist as long as they could. As it turned out, that defensive effort 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 all of them, but at the heart of it was Pedri, everywhere and nowhere at once: everywhere for Spain, absent for Bulgaria, incapable to detect him as he flitted through their defense. He executed 101 passes by the time he was substituted to a standing ovation on the sixty-sixth minute, and his were the moments of utmost subtlety, the most exquisite touches and the sharpest as well.

When the Valladolid stadium sang his name during the opening period, he had just slipped unnoticed into the penalty box again, chipping his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the crossbar, but it was not only that. He had already lifted a magnificent pass into Álex Baena to volley wide and delivered another pass from which Baena was blocked.

Sustained Attack

An cleverly weighted delivery had created opportunity for Samu Aghehowa up for what ought to have been the opener, and a neat lay-off saw Oyarzabal mishit his attempt. He received a opportunity of his own only to fail 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 88% of the possession, then had the lead. The positioning chart appeared like they had exhausted supply of marking paint midway through and a little later Aghehowa could have made it two.

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 territory they might have equalized, Kiril Despodov suddenly breaking away and striking the side-netting.

Introduced for Aghehowa at the half-time, Borja Iglesias had multiple opportunities in as many minutes before Merino did it again. The cross from the left flank was excellent from Álex Grimaldo and there, jumping above all defenders, was Merino to direct the header downward and dash off to do laps round the flagpost.

Closing Stages

Similar to their reaction after the first goal, Bulgaria escaped again, Despodov played 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 own net. Still it was not quite finished, Merino kicked in the shins and stepping aside to let Oyarzabal blast in the 99th goal of De la Fuente's continuing reign.