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Everything began in Scottish soil and this impressive streak persists. That fateful night at Hampden marked merely Luis de la Fuente's second outing as Spain's manager; numerous observers thought it could prove to be his last match in charge. Despite two Scott McTominay goals defeating the Spanish national team, while virtually everyone anticipated his tenure would be brief, the coach spoke about a route emerging - and remarkably, the man once accused of living in Disneyland proved right.

Three years and four days, Spain advanced extremely close of World Cup qualification, and also racking up their 29th straight official game without defeat, equaling the historic record.

Midfield Masterclass and Decisive Contribution

On a night when Pedri played and Mikel Merino created the decisive impact, Spain defeated Bulgaria 4-0 to secure 12 points from twelve in qualifying, edging closer. The Arsenal playmaker and sometime striker netted the first two goals and might have earned his second hat-trick in three recent Spain matches but after brought down in the closing minute, he selflessly passed the penalty to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Therefore it was the Real Sociedad attacker, scorer of the winning goal in the Euro 2024 final, who maintained the impressive sequence, matching what Vicente del Bosque's golden generation achieved between 2010 and 2013.

Historic Achievement

Now, readers may have noticed the symbol, and correctly so. While FIFA might not classify it as a defeat, during this impressive run Spain actually suffer defeat once – seven-five on penalties to Portugal in the Nations League final back in June. Yet officially at least, this present team has equaled that historic team against which all Spanish sides 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 approach 2026 ranked number one, among the frontrunners once more, just like previous eras.

Total Control

This was "only" against Bulgaria, it is true, similar to 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 self-inflicted – but ultimately their opponents had not been allowed a solitary shot on target.

The total statistics showed: thirty-three to three, Spain demonstrably playing as Spain. Bulgaria's coach had admitted the sole objective his team could have was to hold out as long as possible. As it turned out, that resistance lasted thirty-three minutes, and Merino's header represented Spain's 18th attempt on target by that point.

Midfield Brilliance

The display was about all of them, but at the heart of it was Pedri, everywhere and nowhere simultaneously: present for Spain, absent for Bulgaria, incapable to track him as he darted through their defense. He executed one hundred and one passes by the time he was substituted to a rapturous applause on 66 minutes, and his were the moments of greatest subtlety, the finest touches and the sharpest too.

When the Valladolid stadium chanted his name midway the opening period, he had just drifted unmarked into the penalty box 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 another back from which Baena was denied.

Sustained Attack

An cleverly weighted pass had created opportunity for Samu Aghehowa up for what should have been the first goal, and a precise lay-off saw Oyarzabal scuff his shot. He received a chance of his own only to be unable to find a clean contact, striking wide.

But then, shortly after, he delivered an additional ball in. This time Robin Le Normand nodded across and Merino headed in. Spain, who had 88% of the possession, then had the advantage. The heat map appeared like they had run out of marking paint half way through and a little later Aghehowa could have made it two.

Momentary Threat

But then in part it's the unpredictability, even the injustice, that makes football great. And the first time Bulgaria got into Spain's half they might have equalized, Kiril Despodov abruptly breaking away and striking the side-netting.

Introduced for Aghehowa at the half-time, Borja Iglesias had multiple opportunities in as many minutes before Merino did it again. The cross from the left flank was excellent from Álex Grimaldo and there, jumping above everyone, was Merino to power the header downward and dash off to do laps around the flagpost.

Final Moments

Similar to their reaction after the opener, Bulgaria escaped again, Despodov sent through and putting his and their second shot wide and nevertheless the first time the away team had a shot on target it was at the wrong end, Atanas Chernev turning into his team's goal. Still it was not quite finished, Merino fouled in the legs and stepping aside to let Oyarzabal blast in the ninety-ninth goal of De la Fuente's continuing reign.