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Everything started in Scotland and this impressive streak continues. That memorable evening at Hampden represented only Luis de la Fuente's second outing as Spain's manager; many believed it might turn out to be his final match in charge. Although a pair of Scott McTominay goals defeating the Spanish national team, while almost all spectators anticipated his tenure would be brief, De la Fuente talked about a route opening - and interestingly, the manager once accused of living in Disneyland proved correct.

Three years and later, Spain advanced extremely close of global football qualification, and also racking up their 29th consecutive competitive game unbeaten, equaling the legendary record.

Midfield Masterclass and Merino's Impact

During an evening when Pedri featured and Mikel Merino made the decisive impact, Spain overcame Bulgaria 4-0 to secure a perfect dozen from 12 in World Cup qualification, edging closer. The Gunners' playmaker and occasional striker netted the first two goals and might have secured his second consecutive hat-trick in three recent Spain matches but after fouled in the closing minute, he generously handed the spot-kick to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Therefore it was the Real Sociedad striker, goal-getter of the decisive 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

Now, you might have noticed the symbol, and rightly so. While FIFA might not classify it as a loss, during this remarkable run Spain actually suffer defeat 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 sides are compared.

Win in Georgia in a month and the achievement will be theirs alone. En route they won the Nations League in 2023, the European Championships in 2024 and reached a Nations League final in 2025; they approach 2026 sitting No. 1, among the favorites once more, reminiscent of previous eras.

Complete Domination

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 outings, aggregate score 15-0. Occurred two instances immediately after La Selección obtained their first two goals – the third being an own goal – but eventually their rivals had not been permitted a solitary shot on target.

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

Midfield Brilliance

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

When the José Zorrilla chanted his name midway the first half, he had just slipped unnoticed into the penalty box once more, chipping his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the woodwork, but it was not just that. He had previously floated a gorgeous pass into Álex Baena to volley wide and delivered another pass from which Baena was denied.

Continued Pressure

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

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

Brief Resistance

But then in part it's the unpredictability, even the injustice, 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.

Introduced for Aghehowa at the half-time, Borja Iglesias had multiple opportunities in as many minutes before Merino scored once more. The cross from the left flank was superb from Álex Grimaldo and there, jumping above everyone, was Merino to power the header downward and sprint to celebrate around the flagpost.

Final Moments

As they had after the first goal, Bulgaria escaped once more, Despodov sent through and sending his and their following shot wide and nevertheless the first time the visitors had a shot on target it was at the wrong end, Atanas Chernev deflecting into his team's goal. Yet it was not completely done, Merino kicked in the legs and allowing to let Oyarzabal smash in the 99th goal of De la Fuente's continuing reign.