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Everything began in Scottish soil and this impressive streak continues. That memorable night at Hampden marked merely Luis de la Fuente's second as Spain's manager; many believed it might prove to be his final assignment. Despite two Scott McTominay goals defeating La Furia Roja, whereas virtually everyone anticipated his spell would be brief, De la Fuente spoke about a route emerging - and interestingly, the man previously criticized of being unrealistic proved right.

Three years and four days, Spain advanced to within touching distance of World Cup qualification, while simultaneously racking up their twenty-ninth consecutive official game without defeat, equaling the historic record.

Midfield Masterclass and Merino's Impact

On a night when Pedri featured and Mikel Merino made the decisive impact, Spain overcame Bulgaria four-nil to secure a perfect dozen from 12 in qualifying, nearing advancement. The Arsenal midfielder and sometime forward netted the opening two goals and might have earned his second consecutive three-goal haul in three recent Spain matches but after fouled in the closing minute, he generously handed the spot-kick to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Thus it was the Real Sociedad attacker, goal-getter of the winning goal in the Euro 2024 final, who continued 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 rightly so. Although FIFA may not count it as a loss, during this impressive run Spain actually suffer defeat once – 7-5 on penalties to Portugal in the Nations League decider back in June. However officially at least, this present team has equaled that historic team against which all Spanish sides are compared.

Victory in Georgia in a month and the record will be exclusively theirs. 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

The match represented "only" versus Bulgaria, it is true, similar to previous matches 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 being an own goal – but eventually their rivals had not been permitted a solitary shot on target.

Overall count read: 33-3, Spain clearly being Spain. Bulgaria's coach had admitted the sole objective his team could have was to resist as long as they could. Ultimately, that resistance lasted thirty-three minutes, and Merino's header constituted Spain's 18th attempt on target already.

Pedri's Masterclass

The display was about the entire team, but at the core of it was Pedri, everywhere and elusive simultaneously: everywhere for Spain, absent for Bulgaria, incapable to track him as he flitted through their defense. He completed one hundred and one passes by the time he was substituted to a rapturous applause on 66 minutes, and his were the moments of greatest subtlety, the finest touches and the most incisive too.

When the José Zorrilla sang his name midway the opening period, he had just slipped unnoticed into the area again, chipping his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the woodwork, but it was not only that. He had already floated a gorgeous pass into Álex Baena to volley wide and delivered another pass from which Baena was denied.

Continued Pressure

A disguised delivery had set Samu Aghehowa up for what should have been the opener, and a precise pass saw Oyarzabal mishit his attempt. He received a chance of his own only to fail to find a proper connection, volleying wide.

But then, shortly after, he floated another ball in. This time Robin Le Normand nodded across and Merino directed in. Spain, who had eighty-eight percent of the possession, then had the lead. The heat map looked like they had exhausted supply of marking paint half way through and a moment later Aghehowa could have made it two-nil.

Brief Resistance

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

Brought on for Aghehowa at the break, Borja Iglesias had three chances in as many minutes before Merino scored again. The cross from the left flank was excellent from Álex Grimaldo and there, leaping above all defenders, was Merino to power the header downward and sprint to do laps round the corner flag.

Closing Stages

Similar to their reaction after the opener, Bulgaria survived once more, Despodov sent through and putting 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 turning into his team's goal. Still it was not completely done, Merino fouled in the shins and stepping aside to let Oyarzabal blast in the 99th goal of De la Fuente's ongoing tenure.