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Everything started in Scotland and this impressive streak remains unbroken. That memorable night at Hampden marked only Luis de la Fuente's second outing as Spain's manager; many believed it could prove to be his final match in charge. Although a pair of Scott McTominay goals overcoming the Spanish national team, whereas virtually everyone expected his spell would be short-lived, the coach spoke about a pathway emerging - and interestingly, the manager once accused of living in Disneyland proved correct.

36 months and four days, Spain advanced extremely close of global football participation, and also achieving their twenty-ninth consecutive competitive game unbeaten, equaling the legendary record.

Pedri's Influence and Decisive Contribution

On a night when Pedri featured and Mikel Merino created the decisive impact, Spain defeated Bulgaria 4-0 to accumulate 12 points from 12 in World Cup qualification, nearing advancement. The Gunners' playmaker and sometime forward scored the opening two goals and could have earned his second consecutive three-goal haul in three recent Spain appearances but after fouled in the closing minute, he selflessly passed the penalty to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Therefore it was La Real attacker, scorer of the decisive goal in the Euro 2024 final, who continued the impressive 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 count it as a defeat, during this remarkable run Spain did suffer defeat once – 7-5 on penalties to Portugal in the continental tournament final back in June. Yet officially at least, this present team has matched that legendary team against which all Spanish national teams are measured.

Win 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 reached a Nations League final in 2025; they approach 2026 sitting No. 1, among the favorites once more, reminiscent of previous eras.

Complete Domination

This was "only" against Bulgaria, it is true, just as previous matches against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four victories from four, combined score 15-0. There were two instances immediately after La Selección scored their first two goals – the third being an self-inflicted – but ultimately their rivals had not been allowed a solitary shot on target.

The total count showed: 33-3, Spain clearly playing as Spain. Bulgaria's coach had confessed the sole objective his team could have was to resist as long as they could. Ultimately, that defensive effort lasted thirty-three minutes, and Merino's header constituted Spain's eighteenth attempt on target by that point.

Pedri's Masterclass

The display was about all of them, but at the core of it was Pedri, ubiquitous and nowhere simultaneously: present for Spain, absent for Bulgaria, unable to track him as he darted through their defense. He completed one hundred and one passes by the time he was substituted to a standing ovation on the sixty-sixth minute, and his were the instances of utmost subtlety, the most exquisite touches and the sharpest too.

When the José Zorrilla chanted his name midway the first half, he had just drifted unnoticed into the penalty box once more, dinking his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the crossbar, but it was not just that. He had previously floated a magnificent pass into Álex Baena to volley wide and pulled another pass from which Baena was blocked.

Continued Pressure

A disguised delivery had created opportunity for Samu Aghehowa up for what ought to have been the opener, and a neat pass saw Oyarzabal scuff his attempt. He got a chance of his own only to be unable to find a proper connection, volleying 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 eighty-eight percent of the possession, now had the advantage. The positioning chart looked like they had exhausted supply of marking paint half way through and a little later Aghehowa might have made it two-nil.

Brief Resistance

But then in part it's the unpredictability, even the unfairness, that makes football great. And the initial occasion Bulgaria got into Spain's territory they might have equalized, Kiril Despodov suddenly breaking 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 again. The cross from the left flank was excellent from Álex Grimaldo and there, jumping above all defenders, was Merino to power the header down and sprint to do laps around the corner flag.

Final Moments

Similar to their reaction after the first goal, Bulgaria escaped once more, Despodov sent through and sending his and their second shot wide and yet the first time the away team had a shot on target it was at the wrong end, Atanas Chernev deflecting into his team's goal. Still it was not completely done, Merino fouled in the shins and allowing to let Oyarzabal smash in the ninety-ninth goal of De la Fuente's ongoing reign.