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Everything started in Scottish soil and this impressive streak continues. That memorable night at Hampden represented merely Luis de la Fuente's second outing as Spain's manager; many believed it could turn out to be his final match in charge. Although two Scott McTominay goals defeating the Spanish national team, while virtually everyone anticipated his tenure would be brief, De la Fuente spoke about a route emerging - and interestingly, the man once accused of being unrealistic turned out right.

Three years and four days, Spain moved to within touching distance of global football qualification, while simultaneously achieving their twenty-ninth straight competitive game unbeaten, equaling the historic record.

Midfield Masterclass and Decisive Contribution

During an evening when the Barcelona midfielder featured and Mikel Merino created the difference, Spain overcame Bulgaria 4-0 to secure 12 points from twelve in qualifying, edging closer. The Gunners' midfielder and sometime striker scored the opening two goals and could have secured his second three-goal haul in three Spain matches but when brought down in the final minute, he selflessly passed the spot-kick to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Therefore it was the Real Sociedad attacker, scorer of the winning 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

Currently, readers may have observed the asterisk, and rightly so. Although FIFA may not classify it as a loss, during this impressive run Spain actually lose once – 7-5 on penalties to Portugal in the Nations League final back in June. However officially at least, this present team has matched that historic team against which all Spanish national teams are measured.

Victory in Georgia in a month and the record will be theirs alone. Along the way they won the Nations League in 2023, the European Championships in 2024 and reached a Nations League final in 2025; they head toward 2026 ranked number one, among the favorites once more, just like old times.

Complete Domination

The match represented "only" versus Bulgaria, it is true, just as previous encounters against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four victories from four outings, combined score fifteen-zero. There were two instances immediately after the Spanish team scored their opening goals – the third being an own goal – but eventually their opponents had not been permitted a single shot on target.

The total statistics showed: thirty-three to three, Spain clearly being Spain. Bulgaria's coach had admitted the only objective his team could have was to resist as long as they could. Ultimately, that defensive effort lasted 33 minutes, and Merino's header represented Spain's 18th attempt on target already.

Midfield Brilliance

This performance was about all of them, but at the core of it was Pedri, everywhere and nowhere at once: present for Spain, absent for Bulgaria, unable to track him as he flitted through their lines. He completed 101 passes by the time he was withdrawn to a rapturous applause on the sixty-sixth minute, and his were the moments of utmost subtlety, the most exquisite touches and the sharpest as well.

When the Valladolid stadium sang his name during the opening period, he had just slipped unmarked into the area once more, dinking his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the woodwork, but it was not just that. He had previously lifted a gorgeous pass into Álex Baena to volley wide and delivered an additional pass from which Baena was denied.

Sustained Attack

An cleverly weighted pass had set Samu Aghehowa up for what should have been the first goal, and a precise lay-off saw Oyarzabal mishit his attempt. He got a opportunity of his own only to fail to find a clean contact, striking wide.

But then, almost immediately after, he delivered another ball in. This time Robin Le Normand headed across and Merino headed in. Spain, who had eighty-eight percent of the possession, now had the advantage. The heat map looked like they had run out of marking paint half way through and a moment later Aghehowa might have made it two-nil.

Momentary Threat

But then in part it's the uncertainty, even the unfairness, that makes football special. And the initial occasion Bulgaria advanced into Spain's territory they could have leveled the score, Kiril Despodov suddenly sprinting away and striking the outside of the net.

Brought on for Aghehowa at the break, 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, jumping above all defenders, was Merino to direct the header downward and sprint to celebrate around the flagpost.

Final Moments

Similar to their reaction after the first goal, Bulgaria escaped once more, Despodov sent through and putting his and their second shot wide and yet the first time 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 finished, Merino fouled in the shins and stepping aside to let Oyarzabal blast in the 99th goal of De la Fuente's continuing tenure.