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It all started in Scotland and this impressive streak remains unbroken. That memorable night at Hampden marked only Luis de la Fuente's second as Spain's manager; numerous observers thought it could prove to be his final match in charge. Although two Scott McTominay goals defeating the Spanish national team, while virtually everyone expected his tenure would be brief, De la Fuente talked about a route emerging - and remarkably, the manager previously criticized of living in Disneyland proved correct.

Three years and four days, Spain advanced to within touching distance of World Cup participation, and also racking up their twenty-ninth straight competitive game without defeat, matching the legendary record.

Midfield Masterclass and Decisive Contribution

During an evening when Pedri featured and Mikel Merino created the decisive impact, Spain defeated Bulgaria 4-0 to accumulate a perfect dozen from 12 in World Cup qualification, edging closer. The Arsenal midfielder and occasional forward netted the opening two goals and could have earned his second three-goal haul in three Spain matches but after fouled in the final minute, he selflessly passed the spot-kick to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

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

Record Equaled

Now, you might have observed the symbol, and rightly so. Although FIFA may not count it as a loss, during this impressive run Spain did lose once – seven-five on penalties to Portugal in the continental tournament decider back in June. However officially at least, this current team has matched that legendary squad against which all Spanish national teams are measured.

Victory in Georgia in thirty days and the achievement will be exclusively theirs. 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 ranked No. 1, among the frontrunners once more, just like previous eras.

Complete Domination

This was "only" versus Bulgaria, admittedly, just as previous matches against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four victories from four outings, combined score 15-0. Occurred two moments immediately after La Selección scored their opening goals – the third strike being an own goal – but ultimately their opponents had not been permitted a single shot on target.

Overall count read: thirty-three to three, Spain demonstrably playing as Spain. Bulgaria's coach had confessed the sole objective his team could have was to resist as long as possible. As it turned out, that resistance lasted 33 minutes, and Merino's header constituted Spain's eighteenth attempt on target already.

Pedri's Masterclass

The display was about the entire team, but at the heart of it was Pedri, ubiquitous and nowhere at once: present for Spain, absent for Bulgaria, unable to track him as he flitted through their lines. He executed one hundred and one passes by the time he was substituted to a standing ovation on 66 minutes, and his were the instances of utmost subtlety, the finest touches and the sharpest too.

When the José Zorrilla chanted his name midway the opening period, he had just drifted unnoticed into the area again, chipping his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the crossbar, but it was not just that. He had previously floated a gorgeous pass into Álex Baena to strike wide and delivered an additional pass 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 first goal, and a neat pass saw Oyarzabal scuff his attempt. He got a opportunity of his own only to fail to find a proper contact, volleying wide.

But then, shortly after, he floated another ball in. This time Robin Le Normand headed across and Merino directed in. Spain, who had 88% of the possession, now had the lead. The heat map appeared like they had run out of spray paint half way through and a moment later Aghehowa might have made it two.

Brief Resistance

But then in part it's the uncertainty, even the injustice, that makes football great. And the initial occasion Bulgaria advanced into Spain's half they could have leveled the score, Kiril Despodov suddenly sprinting away and hitting the side-netting.

Introduced for Aghehowa at the half-time, Borja Iglesias had multiple chances in as many minutes before Merino did it once more. The cross from the left was excellent from Álex Grimaldo and there, leaping above all defenders, was Merino to power the header downward and sprint to do laps around the corner flag.

Final Moments

As they had after the opener, 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. Still it was not completely done, Merino fouled in the legs and allowing to let Oyarzabal blast in the ninety-ninth goal of De la Fuente's ongoing reign.