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It all began in Scotland and this impressive streak continues. That memorable night at Hampden marked merely Luis de la Fuente's second outing as Spain's manager; numerous observers thought it could turn out to be his last match in charge. Although a pair of Scott McTominay goals defeating the Spanish national team, whereas almost all spectators anticipated his tenure would be brief, the coach talked about a route opening - and remarkably, the man once accused of living in Disneyland turned out correct.

36 months and later, Spain advanced to within touching distance of World Cup participation, while simultaneously achieving their twenty-ninth consecutive competitive game without defeat, matching the historic record.

Midfield Masterclass and Merino's Impact

During an evening when the Barcelona midfielder played and Mikel Merino created the difference, Spain defeated Bulgaria 4-0 to secure 12 points from twelve in qualifying, edging closer. The Gunners' midfielder and occasional striker scored the first two goals and could have earned his second consecutive three-goal haul in three Spain appearances but when brought down in the closing minute, he generously handed the penalty to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Thus it was the Real Sociedad attacker, scorer of the decisive goal in the European Championship final, who maintained the impressive sequence, equaling what Vicente del Bosque's legendary squad accomplished between 2010 and 2013.

Record Equaled

Now, you might have observed the symbol, and correctly so. While FIFA may not count it as a loss, during this remarkable run Spain actually lose once – 7-5 on penalties to Portugal in the continental tournament decider back in June. However formally at least, this present team has equaled that legendary team against which all Spanish sides are measured.

Win in Georgia in a month and the achievement 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 approach 2026 ranked number one, among the favorites once more, reminiscent of old times.

Complete Domination

The match represented "only" versus Bulgaria, it is true, just as previous matches against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four wins from four outings, aggregate score fifteen-zero. Occurred two instances immediately after La Selección scored their opening goals – the third strike being an self-inflicted – but ultimately their rivals had not been permitted a single shot on target.

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

Pedri's Masterclass

The display was about the entire team, but at the core of it was Pedri, ubiquitous and nowhere simultaneously: everywhere for Spain, absent for Bulgaria, incapable to detect him as he flitted through their lines. He completed 101 passes by the time he was substituted to a rapturous applause on 66 minutes, and his were the moments of utmost subtlety, the finest touches and the most incisive as well.

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

Continued Pressure

An cleverly weighted pass had set Samu Aghehowa up for what should have been the opener, and a precise pass 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 directed in. Spain, who had eighty-eight percent of the possession, then had the lead. The heat map appeared like they had run out of marking paint midway through and a little later Aghehowa could have made it two.

Momentary Threat

But then in part it's the unpredictability, even the unfairness, that makes football special. And the initial occasion Bulgaria got into Spain's half they could have leveled the score, Kiril Despodov suddenly breaking 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 did it 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 do laps round the flagpost.

Closing Stages

As they had after the first goal, Bulgaria survived once more, Despodov played through and putting his and their following shot wide and yet the first time the away team had a shot on target it was at the incorrect goal, Atanas Chernev deflecting into his own net. Yet it was not quite done, Merino fouled in the shins and allowing to let Oyarzabal smash in the ninety-ninth goal of De la Fuente's ongoing tenure.