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It all began in Scotland and this impressive streak persists. That fateful night at Hampden marked only Luis de la Fuente's second outing as Spain's head coach; many believed it could prove to be his last match in charge. Despite two Scott McTominay goals overcoming the Spanish national team, whereas virtually everyone anticipated his spell would be short-lived, the coach spoke about a route opening - and remarkably, the man previously criticized of living in Disneyland turned out correct.

36 months and four days, Spain moved to within touching distance of global football participation, while simultaneously achieving their twenty-ninth straight competitive game unbeaten, equaling the historic record.

Midfield Masterclass and Merino's Impact

On a night when the Barcelona midfielder played and Mikel Merino created the decisive impact, Spain overcame Bulgaria four-nil to secure 12 points from twelve in qualifying, edging closer. The Arsenal playmaker and occasional striker scored the opening two goals and might have secured his second hat-trick in three recent Spain matches but when brought down in the final minute, he generously handed the spot-kick to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Therefore it was the Real Sociedad striker, goal-getter of the winning goal in the Euro 2024 showpiece, who continued the remarkable sequence, equaling what Vicente del Bosque's legendary squad achieved between 2010 and 2013.

Historic Achievement

Currently, readers may have observed the asterisk, and rightly so. Although FIFA may not classify it as a loss, during this remarkable run Spain actually suffer defeat once – seven-five on penalties to Portugal in the Nations League decider back in June. Yet officially at least, this present team has matched that historic team against which all Spanish national teams 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 head toward 2026 ranked No. 1, among the favorites once more, just like old times.

Total Control

The match represented "only" versus Bulgaria, it is true, similar to previous encounters against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four wins from four, aggregate score fifteen-zero. Occurred two instances immediately after the Spanish team scored their first two goals – the third being an own goal – but eventually their rivals had not been allowed a solitary shot on target.

The total 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. As it turned out, that resistance lasted 33 minutes, and Merino's header represented 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, everywhere and nowhere simultaneously: present for Spain, absent for Bulgaria, unable to track him as he flitted through their defense. He completed one hundred and one passes by the time he was substituted to a standing ovation on 66 minutes, and his were the moments of utmost subtlety, the most exquisite touches and the most incisive as well.

When the Valladolid stadium chanted 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 only that. He had previously lifted a gorgeous pass into Álex Baena to strike wide and delivered an additional back from which Baena was blocked.

Sustained Attack

A disguised pass had created opportunity for Samu Aghehowa up for what should have been the opener, and a neat pass saw Oyarzabal mishit his shot. He received a opportunity of his own only to fail to find a proper connection, striking wide.

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

Momentary Threat

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

Brought on for Aghehowa at the half-time, Borja Iglesias had multiple chances in as many minutes before Merino scored again. The delivery from the left was excellent from Álex Grimaldo and there, leaping above all defenders, was Merino to power the header downward and dash off to celebrate round the corner flag.

Closing Stages

As they had after the opener, Bulgaria escaped again, Despodov sent through and sending his and their following shot wide and nevertheless the first time the visitors had a shot on target it was at the wrong end, Atanas Chernev deflecting into his team's goal. Still it was not completely finished, Merino kicked in the shins and allowing to let Oyarzabal smash in the 99th goal of De la Fuente's ongoing tenure.