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It all commenced in Scottish soil and this impressive streak remains unbroken. That fateful evening at Hampden represented merely Luis de la Fuente's second outing as Spain's head coach; many believed it could turn out to be his last match in charge. Although two Scott McTominay goals defeating La Furia Roja, whereas almost all spectators expected his spell would be short-lived, De la Fuente talked about a pathway opening - and interestingly, the man once accused of living in Disneyland proved correct.

Three years and later, Spain moved extremely close of global football participation, while simultaneously achieving their twenty-ninth straight competitive game unbeaten, equaling the historic record.

Midfield Masterclass and Decisive Contribution

On a night when Pedri featured and Mikel Merino made the decisive impact, Spain defeated Bulgaria 4-0 to secure a perfect dozen from twelve in qualifying, nearing advancement. The Arsenal playmaker and sometime striker netted the opening two goals and might have earned his second hat-trick in three Spain matches but when brought down in the final minute, he selflessly passed the spot-kick to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Thus it was La Real attacker, scorer of the decisive goal in the Euro 2024 final, who maintained the impressive sequence, equaling what Vicente del Bosque's legendary squad accomplished between 2010 and 2013.

Historic Achievement

Now, readers may have noticed the asterisk, and rightly so. While FIFA might not classify it as a defeat, during this impressive run Spain actually lose once – seven-five on penalties to Portugal in the Nations League decider back in June. Yet officially at least, this current team has matched that legendary team against which all Spanish national teams are measured.

Victory in Georgia in a month and the achievement 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 approach 2026 sitting number one, among the favorites once more, just like old times.

Complete Domination

This was "only" against Bulgaria, it is true, similar to previous matches against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four victories from four, combined score 15-0. Occurred two instances immediately after La Selección scored their first two goals – the third strike being an own goal – but eventually their rivals had not been allowed a solitary shot on target.

Overall statistics showed: thirty-three to three, Spain demonstrably 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 represented Spain's eighteenth attempt on target by that point.

Midfield Brilliance

The display was about the entire team, but at the core of it was Pedri, ubiquitous and elusive simultaneously: everywhere for Spain, nowhere for Bulgaria, unable to detect him as he flitted through their defense. He executed one hundred and one passes by the time he was withdrawn to a standing ovation on 66 minutes, and his were the instances of utmost subtlety, the finest touches and the sharpest too.

When the Valladolid stadium chanted his name midway the opening period, he had just drifted unmarked into the area again, dinking his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the woodwork, but it was not only that. He had previously lifted a magnificent pass into Álex Baena to volley wide and pulled an additional back from which Baena was denied.

Continued Pressure

An cleverly weighted delivery had created opportunity for Samu Aghehowa up for what should have been the first goal, and a neat pass saw Oyarzabal scuff his shot. He got a chance of his own only to fail to find a proper connection, striking 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 ball, then had the lead. The positioning chart looked like they had run out of spray paint midway through and a little later Aghehowa could have made it two.

Brief Resistance

But then in part it's the uncertainty, even the injustice, that makes football great. And the initial occasion Bulgaria got into Spain's territory they might have leveled the score, Kiril Despodov suddenly sprinting 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 once more. 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 do laps round the corner flag.

Closing Stages

As they had after the opener, Bulgaria survived again, Despodov played through and sending his and their second 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 team's goal. Yet it was not completely finished, Merino kicked in the legs and allowing to let Oyarzabal smash in the ninety-ninth goal of De la Fuente's ongoing reign.