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It all commenced in Scottish soil and this impressive streak continues. That memorable night at Hampden marked only Luis de la Fuente's second as Spain's head coach; many believed it might turn out to be his final assignment. Despite two Scott McTominay goals defeating La Furia Roja, whereas virtually everyone expected his tenure would be brief, the coach spoke about a route opening - and remarkably, the manager previously criticized of living in Disneyland proved correct.

Three years and four days, Spain advanced extremely close of World Cup qualification, and also achieving their 29th consecutive official game unbeaten, equaling the historic record.

Midfield Masterclass and Merino's Impact

During an evening when the Barcelona midfielder featured and Mikel Merino made the difference, Spain overcame Bulgaria 4-0 to accumulate 12 points from twelve in World Cup qualification, nearing advancement. The Gunners' playmaker and occasional forward scored the opening two goals and might have secured his second consecutive three-goal haul in three recent Spain appearances but when brought down in the closing minute, he generously handed the spot-kick to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Therefore it was the Real Sociedad striker, scorer of the decisive goal in the Euro 2024 final, who maintained the impressive sequence, equaling what Vicente del Bosque's legendary squad achieved between 2010 and 2013.

Historic Achievement

Currently, you might have noticed the asterisk, and correctly so. Although FIFA may not count it as a loss, during this impressive run Spain actually suffer defeat once – seven-five on penalties to Portugal in the continental tournament decider back in June. Yet officially at least, this present team has equaled that legendary team against which all Spanish national teams are measured.

Victory in Georgia in a month and the record will be exclusively theirs. Along the way they won the Nations League in 2023, the European Championships in 2024 and reached a Nations League final in 2025; they approach 2026 ranked number one, among the favorites once more, reminiscent of old times.

Total Control

The match represented "only" versus Bulgaria, admittedly, just as previous encounters against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four victories from four outings, combined score 15-0. There were two moments 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.

The total 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 resist as long as possible. Ultimately, that defensive effort lasted 33 minutes, and Merino's header constituted Spain's eighteenth attempt on target by that point.

Pedri's Masterclass

This performance was about all of them, but at the core of it was Pedri, ubiquitous and elusive at once: everywhere for Spain, absent for Bulgaria, unable to detect him as he darted through their defense. He completed one hundred and one passes by the time he was withdrawn to a rapturous applause on the sixty-sixth minute, and his were the instances of utmost subtlety, the most exquisite touches and the most incisive as well.

When the José Zorrilla sang his name midway the first half, he had just drifted unnoticed into the area again, dinking his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the crossbar, but it was not only that. He had already lifted a gorgeous pass into Álex Baena to volley wide and delivered an additional pass from which Baena was blocked.

Sustained Attack

A disguised pass had created opportunity for Samu Aghehowa up for what ought to have been the opener, and a neat pass saw Oyarzabal mishit his attempt. He got a chance of his own only to be unable to find a clean contact, striking wide.

But then, shortly 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 lead. The heat map looked like they had run out of marking paint midway through and a moment later Aghehowa might have made it two-nil.

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.

Brought on for Aghehowa at the half-time, Borja Iglesias had three opportunities in as many minutes before Merino scored once more. The cross from the left was excellent from Álex Grimaldo and there, leaping above everyone, was Merino to direct the header downward and sprint to celebrate round the flagpost.

Final Moments

As they had after the opener, Bulgaria escaped again, Despodov sent through and sending his and their following shot wide and yet the initial instance the visitors had a shot on target it was at the wrong end, Atanas Chernev deflecting into his own net. 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 continuing reign.