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Everything commenced in Scottish soil and this impressive streak continues. That fateful evening at Hampden represented merely Luis de la Fuente's second outing as Spain's head coach; many believed it might prove to be his last match in charge. Although two Scott McTominay goals defeating La Furia Roja, whereas almost all spectators anticipated his tenure would be short-lived, De la Fuente talked about a route emerging - and interestingly, the manager once accused of being unrealistic turned out correct.

Three years and later, Spain moved extremely close of global football participation, while simultaneously racking up their twenty-ninth straight official game without defeat, matching the legendary record.

Midfield Masterclass and Decisive Contribution

On a night when the Barcelona midfielder featured and Mikel Merino created the decisive impact, Spain overcame Bulgaria 4-0 to secure 12 points from twelve in qualifying, edging closer. The Arsenal playmaker and sometime forward netted the opening two goals and might have earned his second consecutive hat-trick in three recent Spain appearances but when brought down in the final minute, he selflessly passed the penalty to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Thus it was the Real Sociedad striker, goal-getter of the decisive goal in the European Championship final, who continued the remarkable sequence, equaling what Vicente del Bosque's golden generation accomplished between 2010 and 2013.

Record Equaled

Currently, you might have observed the asterisk, and correctly so. While FIFA may not classify it as a loss, 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 current team has equaled that legendary team against which all Spanish sides are measured.

Victory in Georgia in a month and the record will be theirs alone. 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 head toward 2026 ranked No. 1, among the favorites once more, just like old times.

Complete Domination

This was "only" versus Bulgaria, admittedly, similar to previous matches against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four victories from four outings, aggregate score 15-0. There were two moments immediately after the Spanish team obtained their opening goals – the third strike being an self-inflicted – but eventually their rivals had not been allowed a solitary shot on target.

Overall count showed: thirty-three to three, Spain clearly being Spain. Bulgaria's coach had admitted the sole objective his team could have was to resist as long as they could. As it turned out, that defensive effort lasted 33 minutes, and Merino's header represented Spain's 18th attempt on target already.

Pedri's Masterclass

The display was about the entire team, but at the heart of it was Pedri, ubiquitous and nowhere simultaneously: everywhere for Spain, absent for Bulgaria, unable to detect him as he darted through their lines. He executed 101 passes by the time he was substituted to a rapturous applause on 66 minutes, and his were the moments of utmost subtlety, the most exquisite touches and the most incisive too.

When the José Zorrilla chanted his name during the first half, he had just drifted unmarked into the penalty box once more, dinking his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the woodwork, but it was not just that. He had already lifted a gorgeous pass into Álex Baena to strike wide and delivered another pass from which Baena was denied.

Sustained Attack

An cleverly weighted delivery had set Samu Aghehowa up for what ought to have been the first goal, and a precise pass saw Oyarzabal mishit his shot. He received a opportunity of his own only to fail to find a clean contact, volleying wide.

But then, shortly after, he floated another ball in. This time Robin Le Normand headed across and Merino headed in. Spain, who had 88% of the possession, now had the advantage. The heat map 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 uncertainty, even the unfairness, that makes football great. And the initial occasion Bulgaria got into Spain's half they might have equalized, Kiril Despodov abruptly breaking away and hitting the outside of the net.

Brought on for Aghehowa at the break, Borja Iglesias had multiple opportunities in as many minutes before Merino did it again. 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 celebrate round the corner flag.

Final Moments

As they had after the opener, Bulgaria survived again, Despodov played through and sending his and their following shot wide and nevertheless the initial instance the away team had a shot on target it was at the incorrect goal, Atanas Chernev turning into his team's goal. Yet it was not quite done, Merino kicked in the legs and allowing to let Oyarzabal blast in the 99th goal of De la Fuente's continuing reign.