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Everything began in Scotland and this impressive streak persists. That fateful evening at Hampden marked merely Luis de la Fuente's second outing as Spain's head coach; numerous observers thought it could turn out to be his final match in charge. Although a pair of Scott McTominay goals overcoming the Spanish national team, whereas almost all spectators anticipated his tenure would be brief, the coach spoke about a route emerging - and interestingly, the man previously criticized of living in Disneyland proved correct.

36 months and later, Spain advanced to within touching distance of World Cup qualification, and also racking up their 29th consecutive official game unbeaten, equaling the historic record.

Pedri's Influence and Merino's Impact

On a night when Pedri featured and Mikel Merino created the difference, Spain overcame Bulgaria four-nil to secure a perfect dozen from 12 in World Cup qualification, edging closer. The Gunners' playmaker and occasional striker scored the first two goals and could have earned his second hat-trick in three recent Spain appearances but when fouled in the closing 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 showpiece, who maintained the remarkable sequence, equaling what Vicente del Bosque's golden generation achieved between 2010 and 2013.

Record Equaled

Now, you might have noticed the symbol, and rightly so. Although FIFA may not count it as a loss, during this impressive run Spain actually lose once – seven-five on penalties to Portugal in the Nations League final back in June. However formally at least, this present team has matched that historic team against which all Spanish national teams are compared.

Win in Georgia in thirty days 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 head toward 2026 ranked No. 1, among the frontrunners once more, just like previous eras.

Complete Domination

This was "only" against Bulgaria, admittedly, just as previous encounters against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four victories from four, aggregate score 15-0. Occurred two moments immediately after La Selección obtained their opening goals – the third being an self-inflicted – but eventually their opponents had not been allowed a solitary shot on target.

Overall statistics read: thirty-three to three, Spain demonstrably being Spain. Bulgaria's coach had confessed the sole objective his team could have was to hold out as long as possible. Ultimately, that defensive effort lasted 33 minutes, and Merino's header constituted Spain's eighteenth attempt on target already.

Midfield Brilliance

This performance was about all of them, but at the core of it was Pedri, ubiquitous and nowhere at once: everywhere for Spain, nowhere for Bulgaria, incapable to track him as he flitted through their lines. He completed 101 passes by the time he was substituted 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 sang his name during the opening period, he had just slipped unnoticed into the area once more, chipping his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the crossbar, but it was not only that. He had previously floated a magnificent pass into Álex Baena to strike wide and delivered an additional back from which Baena was blocked.

Sustained Attack

A disguised delivery had set Samu Aghehowa up for what ought to have been the opener, and a precise lay-off saw Oyarzabal mishit his attempt. He received a chance of his own only to fail to find a proper contact, striking wide.

But then, shortly after, he delivered another ball in. This time Robin Le Normand nodded across and Merino directed in. Spain, who had 88% of the possession, then had the lead. The positioning chart looked like they had run out of marking paint midway through and a little later Aghehowa might have made it two.

Brief Resistance

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

Introduced for Aghehowa at the half-time, Borja Iglesias had multiple chances in as many minutes before Merino did it again. The delivery from the left was superb from Álex Grimaldo and there, leaping above all defenders, was Merino to power the header downward and sprint to celebrate round the flagpost.

Final Moments

Similar to their reaction after the first goal, Bulgaria survived again, Despodov sent through and putting his and their following shot wide and yet 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. Still it was not quite finished, Merino fouled in the shins and allowing to let Oyarzabal blast in the ninety-ninth goal of De la Fuente's continuing tenure.