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Everything began in Scottish soil and this impressive streak persists. That memorable evening at Hampden marked only Luis de la Fuente's second outing as Spain's manager; numerous observers thought it might prove to be his last assignment. Despite a pair of Scott McTominay goals defeating La Furia Roja, while almost all spectators anticipated his tenure would be short-lived, the coach talked about a route opening - and interestingly, the man previously criticized of living in Disneyland turned out right.

Three years and four days, Spain advanced extremely close of global football participation, while simultaneously achieving their twenty-ninth consecutive official game unbeaten, matching the legendary record.

Midfield Masterclass and Merino's Impact

During an evening when the Barcelona midfielder featured and Mikel Merino made the difference, Spain overcame Bulgaria four-nil to accumulate a perfect dozen from 12 in qualifying, nearing advancement. The Gunners' playmaker and sometime striker netted the first two goals and could have secured his second three-goal haul in three Spain appearances but when fouled in the closing 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 showpiece, who maintained the remarkable sequence, equaling what Vicente del Bosque's golden generation accomplished between 2010 and 2013.

Historic Achievement

Now, readers may have observed the asterisk, and rightly so. While FIFA may not count 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 equaled that historic squad against which all Spanish sides are measured.

Victory in Georgia in a month and the record will be theirs alone. En route 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, reminiscent of previous eras.

Complete Domination

The match represented "only" versus Bulgaria, admittedly, similar to previous encounters against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four victories from four, aggregate score fifteen-zero. There were two instances immediately after La Selección scored their opening goals – the third strike being an self-inflicted – but ultimately their rivals had not been allowed a solitary shot on target.

Overall count showed: thirty-three to three, Spain clearly playing as Spain. Bulgaria's coach had confessed the only objective his team could have was to hold out as long as they could. As it turned out, that resistance lasted 33 minutes, and Merino's header constituted Spain's eighteenth attempt on target by that point.

Pedri's Masterclass

This performance was about the entire team, but at the core of it was Pedri, ubiquitous and elusive simultaneously: present for Spain, absent for Bulgaria, unable to detect him as he flitted through their defense. 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 greatest subtlety, the finest touches and the sharpest as well.

When the José Zorrilla chanted his name midway the opening period, he had just slipped unmarked into the penalty box again, dinking his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the woodwork, but it was not only that. He had previously floated a magnificent pass into Álex Baena to strike wide and delivered another pass from which Baena was denied.

Sustained Attack

A disguised pass had set Samu Aghehowa up for what ought to have been the opener, and a neat pass saw Oyarzabal mishit his shot. He received a opportunity of his own only to fail to find a proper connection, volleying wide.

But then, almost immediately after, he delivered an additional ball in. This time Robin Le Normand headed across and Merino headed in. Spain, who had eighty-eight percent of the ball, now had the advantage. The heat map appeared like they had exhausted supply of marking paint half way through and a little later Aghehowa could have made it two-nil.

Momentary Threat

But then in part it's the uncertainty, even the unfairness, that makes football special. And the first time Bulgaria got into Spain's half they could have equalized, Kiril Despodov abruptly breaking away and hitting the outside of the net.

Introduced for Aghehowa at the break, Borja Iglesias had three opportunities in as many minutes before Merino scored again. The cross from the left was superb from Álex Grimaldo and there, jumping above all defenders, was Merino to power the header down and sprint to do laps round the flagpost.

Closing Stages

As they had after the first goal, Bulgaria escaped again, Despodov sent through and sending his and their second shot wide and nevertheless the initial instance the away team 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 fouled in the shins and stepping aside to let Oyarzabal blast in the 99th goal of De la Fuente's ongoing reign.