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Everything started 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; many believed it might turn out to be his last match in charge. Despite a pair of Scott McTominay goals defeating the Spanish national team, while virtually everyone expected his spell would be brief, De la Fuente talked about a route emerging - and remarkably, the manager previously criticized of living in Disneyland turned out right.

Three years and later, Spain advanced extremely close of global football participation, while simultaneously achieving their twenty-ninth consecutive competitive game without defeat, matching the legendary record.

Pedri's Influence and Decisive Contribution

During an evening when Pedri featured and Mikel Merino made the decisive impact, Spain overcame Bulgaria 4-0 to secure a perfect dozen from twelve in qualifying, edging closer. The Gunners' playmaker and occasional forward scored the first two goals and might have secured his second three-goal haul in three recent Spain matches but after brought down in the final minute, he selflessly passed the penalty to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Thus it was the Real Sociedad attacker, goal-getter of the winning goal in the European Championship final, who maintained the impressive sequence, matching what Vicente del Bosque's legendary squad achieved between 2010 and 2013.

Historic Achievement

Currently, you might have noticed the symbol, and correctly so. Although FIFA may not classify it as a loss, during this remarkable run Spain actually lose once – 7-5 on penalties to Portugal in the continental tournament final back in June. Yet officially at least, this present team has equaled that historic squad against which all Spanish national teams are compared.

Victory in Georgia in thirty days and the achievement will be theirs alone. En route they captured the Nations League in 2023, the European Championships in 2024 and advanced to a Nations League final in 2025; they head toward 2026 sitting No. 1, among the frontrunners once more, just like previous eras.

Total Control

This was "only" versus Bulgaria, it is true, just as previous encounters against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four wins from four outings, combined score fifteen-zero. There were two instances immediately after the Spanish team obtained their opening goals – the third strike being an self-inflicted – but ultimately their opponents had not been allowed a solitary shot on target.

Overall count showed: 33-3, Spain clearly playing as Spain. Bulgaria's coach had confessed the only objective his team could have was to hold out as long as possible. Ultimately, that resistance lasted 33 minutes, and Merino's header constituted Spain's eighteenth attempt on target by that point.

Midfield Brilliance

This performance was about the entire team, but at the heart of it was Pedri, ubiquitous and elusive simultaneously: everywhere for Spain, absent for Bulgaria, unable to track him as he flitted through their lines. He executed 101 passes by the time he was withdrawn to a standing ovation on 66 minutes, and his were the instances of greatest 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 once more, chipping his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the crossbar, but it was not just that. He had previously lifted a gorgeous pass into Álex Baena to volley wide and pulled an additional pass from which Baena was blocked.

Sustained Attack

An cleverly weighted pass had created opportunity for Samu Aghehowa up for what ought to have been the first goal, and a precise lay-off saw Oyarzabal scuff his attempt. He received a chance of his own only to be unable to find a clean connection, volleying wide.

But then, almost immediately after, he delivered another 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 lead. The positioning chart looked like they had run out of spray paint half way through and a moment later Aghehowa could have made it two-nil.

Momentary Threat

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

Brought on for Aghehowa at the break, Borja Iglesias had three opportunities in as many minutes before Merino did it again. The delivery from the left flank was excellent from Álex Grimaldo and there, leaping above everyone, was Merino to power the header down and sprint to do laps around the flagpost.

Closing Stages

Similar to their reaction after the opener, Bulgaria survived once more, Despodov played through and putting his and their second shot wide and yet the first time the visitors had a shot on target it was at the wrong end, Atanas Chernev deflecting into his own net. Still 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 ongoing tenure.