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Everything started in Scotland and this impressive streak continues. That fateful night at Hampden marked only Luis de la Fuente's second outing as Spain's manager; many believed it could turn out to be his final match in charge. Despite two Scott McTominay goals overcoming La Furia Roja, while virtually everyone anticipated his spell would be brief, the coach talked about a pathway emerging - and remarkably, the man previously criticized of being unrealistic proved correct.

36 months and later, Spain advanced to within touching distance of global football participation, and also achieving their twenty-ninth consecutive official game without defeat, matching the historic record.

Pedri's Influence and Merino's Impact

During an evening when Pedri featured and Mikel Merino created the decisive impact, Spain defeated Bulgaria 4-0 to accumulate a perfect dozen from twelve in World Cup qualification, nearing advancement. The Gunners' playmaker and occasional forward netted the opening two goals and might have secured his second consecutive three-goal haul in three Spain matches but when brought down in the closing minute, he selflessly passed the spot-kick to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Thus it was the Real Sociedad attacker, scorer of the winning goal in the Euro 2024 final, who continued the impressive sequence, equaling what Vicente del Bosque's legendary squad accomplished between 2010 and 2013.

Record Equaled

Now, readers may have observed the symbol, and rightly so. While FIFA may not classify it as a defeat, during this impressive run Spain actually lose once – seven-five on penalties to Portugal in the Nations League decider back in June. However officially at least, this current team has equaled that historic squad against which all Spanish sides are measured.

Victory in Georgia in a month and the achievement 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 sitting No. 1, among the frontrunners once more, reminiscent of old times.

Total Control

The match represented "only" against Bulgaria, it is true, just as previous encounters against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four victories from four, aggregate score 15-0. There were two instances immediately after La Selección obtained their opening goals – the third strike being an self-inflicted – but eventually their opponents had not been permitted a solitary shot on target.

Overall statistics showed: 33-3, Spain demonstrably playing as Spain. Bulgaria's coach had confessed the sole objective his team could have was to hold out as long as possible. Ultimately, that defensive effort lasted thirty-three minutes, and Merino's header represented Spain's 18th attempt on target already.

Midfield Brilliance

The display was about all of them, but at the core of it was Pedri, ubiquitous and elusive at once: present for Spain, absent for Bulgaria, incapable to detect him as he darted through their defense. He executed 101 passes by the time he was withdrawn to a rapturous applause on the sixty-sixth minute, and his were the instances of utmost subtlety, the most exquisite touches and the most incisive as well.

When the José Zorrilla chanted his name midway the opening period, he had just drifted unnoticed into the area again, dinking his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the woodwork, but it was not just that. He had already floated a magnificent pass into Álex Baena to volley wide and pulled an additional pass from which Baena was blocked.

Sustained Attack

A disguised delivery had set Samu Aghehowa up for what should have been the opener, and a neat pass saw Oyarzabal scuff his attempt. He received a chance of his own only to fail to find a proper contact, volleying wide.

But then, shortly after, he delivered another ball in. This time Robin Le Normand nodded across and Merino directed in. Spain, who had 88% of the possession, now had the advantage. The heat map appeared like they had run out of spray paint midway through and a little later Aghehowa might have made it two-nil.

Momentary Threat

But then in part it's the uncertainty, even the unfairness, that makes football great. And the first time Bulgaria advanced into Spain's territory they might have leveled the score, Kiril Despodov abruptly sprinting away and striking the outside of the net.

Brought on for Aghehowa at the half-time, Borja Iglesias had multiple chances in as many minutes before Merino did it once more. The delivery from the left was excellent from Álex Grimaldo and there, leaping above everyone, was Merino to direct the header down and sprint to celebrate around the flagpost.

Closing Stages

Similar to their reaction after the opener, Bulgaria survived once more, Despodov played through and putting his and their following shot wide and yet the first time the visitors had a shot on target it was at the wrong end, Atanas Chernev deflecting into his own net. Yet it was not completely finished, Merino kicked in the legs and stepping aside to let Oyarzabal smash in the 99th goal of De la Fuente's continuing reign.