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It all began in Scotland and this impressive streak persists. That memorable night at Hampden marked merely Luis de la Fuente's second as Spain's head coach; many believed it could prove to be his last match in charge. Although a pair of Scott McTominay goals overcoming the Spanish national team, while virtually everyone expected his spell would be short-lived, the coach spoke about a route emerging - and remarkably, the man previously criticized of living in Disneyland proved right.

Three years and four days, Spain moved extremely close of World Cup participation, and also achieving their twenty-ninth consecutive official game without defeat, matching the historic record.

Midfield Masterclass and Decisive Contribution

On a night when Pedri played and Mikel Merino made the decisive impact, Spain overcame Bulgaria 4-0 to accumulate 12 points from 12 in qualifying, edging closer. The Arsenal midfielder and sometime striker netted the first two goals and might have secured his second three-goal haul in three Spain matches but after fouled in the closing minute, he selflessly passed the penalty to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

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

Historic Achievement

Currently, readers may have observed the symbol, and rightly so. Although FIFA may not count it as a defeat, during this impressive run Spain actually suffer defeat once – 7-5 on penalties to Portugal in the Nations League final back in June. Yet formally at least, this present team has matched that legendary team against which all Spanish national teams are measured.

Victory in Georgia in thirty days and the record will be theirs alone. 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 sitting No. 1, among the frontrunners once more, reminiscent of old times.

Complete Domination

This was "only" versus Bulgaria, admittedly, just as previous encounters against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four wins from four outings, aggregate score 15-0. Occurred two instances immediately after La Selección obtained their first two goals – the third being an self-inflicted – but ultimately their opponents had not been allowed a solitary shot on target.

Overall count read: thirty-three to three, Spain demonstrably playing as Spain. Bulgaria's coach had confessed the only objective his team could have was to resist as long as possible. Ultimately, that resistance lasted 33 minutes, and Merino's header constituted Spain's 18th attempt on target by that point.

Pedri's Masterclass

The display was about all of them, but at the core of it was Pedri, everywhere and elusive at once: present for Spain, nowhere for Bulgaria, unable to track him as he darted 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 chanted his name midway the first half, he had just drifted unmarked into the penalty box 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 pulled an additional pass from which Baena was denied.

Continued Pressure

An cleverly weighted delivery had set Samu Aghehowa up for what ought to have been the first goal, and a precise pass saw Oyarzabal mishit his attempt. He received a opportunity of his own only to fail to find a proper connection, volleying wide.

But then, shortly after, he floated an additional ball in. This time Robin Le Normand headed across and Merino directed in. Spain, who had eighty-eight percent of the ball, then had the lead. The heat map appeared like they had run out of marking paint half way through and a moment later Aghehowa could have made it two-nil.

Momentary Threat

But then in part it's the unpredictability, even the injustice, that makes football special. And the initial occasion Bulgaria advanced into Spain's territory they could have equalized, Kiril Despodov suddenly breaking away and hitting 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 delivery from the left was excellent from Álex Grimaldo and there, jumping above all defenders, was Merino to power the header downward and sprint to do laps round the flagpost.

Final Moments

As they had after the first goal, Bulgaria survived again, Despodov played through and putting his and their following shot wide and nevertheless the initial instance the visitors had a shot on target it was at the incorrect goal, Atanas Chernev deflecting into his team's goal. Yet it was not quite done, Merino kicked in the shins and allowing to let Oyarzabal blast in the ninety-ninth goal of De la Fuente's continuing reign.