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Everything commenced in Scotland and this impressive streak remains unbroken. That memorable night at Hampden represented only Luis de la Fuente's second as Spain's manager; many believed it could turn out to be his final match in charge. Although two Scott McTominay goals overcoming La Furia Roja, while almost all spectators anticipated his spell would be short-lived, De la Fuente talked about a route opening - and remarkably, the manager once accused of living in Disneyland turned out correct.

Three years and later, Spain advanced extremely close of World Cup qualification, while simultaneously racking up their twenty-ninth straight competitive game unbeaten, matching the legendary record.

Midfield Masterclass and Decisive Contribution

On a night when Pedri featured and Mikel Merino created the decisive impact, Spain overcame Bulgaria four-nil to secure 12 points from twelve in qualifying, edging closer. The Arsenal midfielder and occasional forward scored the first two goals and could have secured his second hat-trick in three Spain appearances but when fouled in the closing minute, he selflessly passed the penalty to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Therefore it was La Real attacker, goal-getter of the winning goal in the European Championship showpiece, who continued the impressive sequence, equaling what Vicente del Bosque's golden generation accomplished between 2010 and 2013.

Historic Achievement

Currently, readers may have noticed the asterisk, and correctly so. While FIFA might not classify it as a loss, during this remarkable run Spain actually lose once – seven-five on penalties to Portugal in the Nations League decider back in June. Yet formally at least, this present team has equaled that legendary team against which all Spanish sides are measured.

Win in Georgia in thirty days and the record will be theirs alone. En route they won the Nations League in 2023, the European Championships in 2024 and advanced to a Nations League final in 2025; they approach 2026 sitting number one, among the frontrunners once more, just like old times.

Complete Domination

This was "only" versus Bulgaria, it is true, just as previous matches against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four wins from four, aggregate score 15-0. There were two instances immediately after the Spanish team scored their first two goals – the third strike being an own goal – but ultimately their opponents had not been allowed a single shot on target.

The total count showed: 33-3, Spain clearly playing as Spain. Bulgaria's coach had confessed the sole objective his team could have was to resist as long as they could. Ultimately, that defensive effort lasted 33 minutes, and Merino's header constituted Spain's eighteenth attempt on target by that point.

Midfield Brilliance

The display was about all of them, but at the core of it was Pedri, ubiquitous and nowhere simultaneously: present for Spain, absent for Bulgaria, unable to detect him as he darted through their defense. He completed one hundred and one passes by the time he was substituted to a rapturous applause on 66 minutes, and his were the instances of utmost subtlety, the finest touches and the most incisive too.

When the Valladolid stadium sang his name midway the first half, he had just drifted unmarked into the area again, dinking his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the woodwork, but it was not just that. He had already lifted a gorgeous pass into Álex Baena to strike wide and pulled another back from which Baena was denied.

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 scuff his attempt. He got a chance of his own only to fail to find a clean connection, volleying wide.

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

Brief Resistance

But then in part it's the unpredictability, even the injustice, that makes football special. And the first time Bulgaria advanced into Spain's half they could have equalized, Kiril Despodov abruptly sprinting away and hitting the outside of the net.

Brought on for Aghehowa at the half-time, Borja Iglesias had multiple opportunities in as many minutes before Merino scored again. The cross from the left flank was excellent from Álex Grimaldo and there, jumping above all defenders, was Merino to direct the header down and sprint to do laps around the flagpost.

Final Moments

Similar to their reaction after the opener, Bulgaria escaped once more, Despodov played through and sending his and their second shot wide and nevertheless the initial instance the away team had a shot on target it was at the incorrect goal, Atanas Chernev deflecting 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 ongoing tenure.