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It all began in Scotland and this impressive streak continues. That memorable night at Hampden represented merely Luis de la Fuente's second outing as Spain's head coach; many believed it might turn out to be his final match in charge. Despite two Scott McTominay goals defeating the Spanish national team, while virtually everyone expected his spell would be short-lived, De la Fuente talked about a route opening - and remarkably, the manager once accused of being unrealistic proved correct.

Three years and four days, Spain advanced to within touching distance of global football qualification, and also racking up their twenty-ninth consecutive competitive game unbeaten, matching the historic record.

Pedri's Influence and Decisive Contribution

On a night when the Barcelona midfielder featured and Mikel Merino created the decisive impact, Spain defeated Bulgaria 4-0 to secure 12 points from 12 in World Cup qualification, edging closer. The Gunners' playmaker and occasional forward netted the opening two goals and might have earned his second hat-trick in three recent Spain matches but when brought down in the final minute, he selflessly passed the spot-kick to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Thus it was La Real striker, scorer of the decisive goal in the European Championship showpiece, who maintained the remarkable sequence, equaling what Vicente del Bosque's legendary squad achieved between 2010 and 2013.

Record Equaled

Currently, you might have observed the asterisk, and rightly so. Although FIFA might not count it as a defeat, during this impressive run Spain did lose once – 7-5 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 compared.

Win in Georgia in thirty days 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 approach 2026 ranked No. 1, among the frontrunners once more, reminiscent of old times.

Complete Domination

The match represented "only" against 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 moments immediately after La Selección scored their first two goals – the third strike being an self-inflicted – but eventually their rivals had not been allowed a single shot on target.

Overall count showed: thirty-three to three, Spain demonstrably being Spain. Bulgaria's coach had confessed the only objective his team could have was to resist as long as possible. Ultimately, that defensive effort lasted thirty-three minutes, and Merino's header constituted Spain's eighteenth attempt on target by that point.

Pedri's Masterclass

This performance was about the entire team, but at the heart of it was Pedri, ubiquitous and nowhere simultaneously: everywhere for Spain, nowhere for Bulgaria, unable to detect him as he darted through their lines. He executed 101 passes by the time he was withdrawn to a standing ovation on the sixty-sixth minute, and his were the moments of greatest subtlety, the most exquisite touches and the most incisive as well.

When the Valladolid stadium sang his name during the first half, he had just slipped unnoticed into the area again, dinking his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the woodwork, but it was not just that. He had previously floated a magnificent pass into Álex Baena to strike wide and pulled an additional back from which Baena was blocked.

Sustained Attack

An cleverly weighted delivery had created opportunity for Samu Aghehowa up for what should have been the opener, and a neat pass saw Oyarzabal scuff his attempt. He received a opportunity of his own only to be unable to find a proper connection, volleying wide.

But then, almost immediately after, he delivered an additional ball in. This time Robin Le Normand headed across and Merino directed in. Spain, who had eighty-eight percent of the possession, now had the advantage. The heat map appeared like they had exhausted supply of spray paint midway through and a little later Aghehowa might have made it two.

Brief Resistance

But then in part it's the unpredictability, even the unfairness, that makes football special. And the first time Bulgaria got 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 three chances in as many minutes before Merino did it again. The cross from the left was superb from Álex Grimaldo and there, leaping above all defenders, was Merino to direct the header down and dash off to celebrate around the corner flag.

Final Moments

Similar to their reaction after the opener, Bulgaria survived again, Despodov played through and sending his and their second shot wide and nevertheless the initial instance the visitors had a shot on target it was at the wrong end, Atanas Chernev deflecting into his team's goal. Yet it was not completely done, Merino kicked in the shins and stepping aside to let Oyarzabal blast in the ninety-ninth goal of De la Fuente's continuing reign.