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Everything started in Scottish soil and this impressive streak persists. That memorable night at Hampden marked merely Luis de la Fuente's second outing as Spain's manager; many believed it could prove to be his last assignment. Despite two Scott McTominay goals overcoming La Furia Roja, whereas almost all spectators anticipated his tenure would be short-lived, De la Fuente talked about a pathway emerging - and remarkably, the man previously criticized of living in Disneyland turned out right.

36 months and four days, Spain advanced extremely close of global football participation, while simultaneously racking up their twenty-ninth straight official game without defeat, equaling the historic record.

Midfield Masterclass and Decisive Contribution

On a night when Pedri played and Mikel Merino made the difference, Spain defeated Bulgaria four-nil to secure 12 points from twelve in World Cup qualification, nearing advancement. The Arsenal playmaker and sometime forward netted the opening two goals and could have secured his second hat-trick in three Spain appearances but when brought down in the final minute, he selflessly passed the penalty to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Therefore it was La Real striker, goal-getter of the winning goal in the European Championship final, who maintained the remarkable sequence, matching what Vicente del Bosque's legendary squad achieved between 2010 and 2013.

Historic Achievement

Now, you might have observed the asterisk, and correctly so. While FIFA might not classify it as a defeat, during this remarkable run Spain actually lose once – 7-5 on penalties to Portugal in the Nations League final back in June. However officially at least, this current team has matched that historic squad against which all Spanish sides are compared.

Win in Georgia in thirty days 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 sitting number one, among the favorites once more, just like previous eras.

Total Control

The match represented "only" against Bulgaria, admittedly, similar to previous encounters against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four wins from four outings, aggregate score 15-0. There were two instances immediately after La Selección scored their opening goals – the third being an self-inflicted – but eventually their opponents had not been allowed a single shot on target.

Overall count read: thirty-three to three, Spain demonstrably being Spain. Bulgaria's coach had admitted the only objective his team could have was to resist as long as they could. As it turned out, that resistance lasted 33 minutes, and Merino's header represented Spain's 18th attempt on target by that point.

Midfield Brilliance

This performance was about the entire team, but at the heart of it was Pedri, everywhere and elusive 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 withdrawn to a standing ovation on the sixty-sixth minute, and his were the moments of greatest subtlety, the most exquisite touches and the most incisive as well.

When the José Zorrilla sang his name during the first half, he had just slipped unmarked into the penalty box again, chipping his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the crossbar, but it was not only that. He had already floated a magnificent pass into Álex Baena to strike wide and pulled another pass from which Baena was blocked.

Continued Pressure

An cleverly weighted pass had set Samu Aghehowa up for what ought to have been the first goal, and a precise pass saw Oyarzabal scuff his attempt. He got a chance of his own only to fail to find a proper contact, striking wide.

But then, almost immediately 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, now had the advantage. The positioning chart appeared like they had run out of marking paint half way through and a little later Aghehowa might have made it two-nil.

Momentary Threat

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

Brought on for Aghehowa at the half-time, Borja Iglesias had three chances in as many minutes before Merino scored once more. The delivery from the left was excellent from Álex Grimaldo and there, jumping above all defenders, was Merino to direct the header down and dash off to do laps round the flagpost.

Final Moments

As they had after the first goal, Bulgaria survived again, Despodov sent through and sending his and their following shot wide and yet the initial instance the away team had a shot on target it was at the incorrect goal, Atanas Chernev deflecting into his own net. Yet it was not completely done, Merino kicked in the legs and stepping aside to let Oyarzabal smash in the ninety-ninth goal of De la Fuente's continuing tenure.