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Everything commenced in Scotland and this impressive streak persists. That memorable evening at Hampden represented merely Luis de la Fuente's second as Spain's manager; many believed it might turn out to be his final assignment. Despite a pair of Scott McTominay goals defeating La Furia Roja, whereas virtually everyone expected his spell would be brief, the coach spoke about a pathway opening - and remarkably, the manager once accused of living in Disneyland proved right.

36 months and later, Spain moved extremely close of global football participation, and also racking up their 29th straight competitive game without defeat, matching the legendary record.

Pedri's Influence and Merino's Impact

During an evening when Pedri played and Mikel Merino made the difference, Spain defeated Bulgaria four-nil to accumulate 12 points from twelve in qualifying, edging closer. The Arsenal midfielder and occasional forward netted the opening two goals and might have secured his second consecutive hat-trick in three Spain appearances but after brought down in the closing minute, he generously handed the spot-kick to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

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

Record Equaled

Currently, readers may have observed the asterisk, and correctly so. Although FIFA might not count it as a loss, during this impressive run Spain did suffer defeat once – 7-5 on penalties to Portugal in the Nations League decider back in June. However formally at least, this present team has equaled that legendary team against which all Spanish sides are compared.

Win in Georgia in a month and the achievement will be exclusively theirs. En route they captured the Nations League in 2023, the European Championships in 2024 and reached a Nations League final in 2025; they head toward 2026 sitting number one, among the frontrunners once more, just like old times.

Complete Domination

The match represented "only" against Bulgaria, it is true, similar to previous encounters against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four victories from four, aggregate score 15-0. Occurred two instances immediately after the Spanish team obtained their opening goals – the third strike being an self-inflicted – but eventually their rivals had not been permitted a single shot on target.

The total statistics read: 33-3, Spain clearly 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 resistance 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, everywhere and nowhere at once: everywhere for Spain, absent for Bulgaria, unable to track him as he flitted through their lines. He executed one hundred and one passes by the time he was substituted to a standing ovation on 66 minutes, and his were the instances of utmost subtlety, the finest touches and the most incisive as well.

When the José Zorrilla chanted his name during the first half, he had just drifted unmarked into the area again, chipping his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the woodwork, but it was not just that. He had already floated a gorgeous pass into Álex Baena to volley wide and pulled an additional back from which Baena was denied.

Sustained Attack

An cleverly weighted pass had set Samu Aghehowa up for what should have been the first goal, and a neat lay-off saw Oyarzabal scuff his shot. He got a opportunity of his own only to fail to find a proper connection, striking wide.

But then, shortly after, he delivered another ball in. This time Robin Le Normand headed across and Merino headed in. Spain, who had 88% of the ball, then had the advantage. The heat map looked like they had run out of spray paint midway through and a moment later Aghehowa might have made it two.

Brief Resistance

But then in part it's the unpredictability, even the unfairness, that makes football great. And the first time Bulgaria got into Spain's territory they might have leveled the score, Kiril Despodov abruptly sprinting away and hitting the outside of the net.

Brought on for Aghehowa at the half-time, Borja Iglesias had three chances in as many minutes before Merino scored once more. The cross from the left flank was superb from Álex Grimaldo and there, leaping above everyone, was Merino to power the header down and dash off to celebrate round the corner flag.

Closing Stages

As they had after the first goal, Bulgaria survived again, Despodov sent through and sending his and their following shot wide and yet the initial instance the away team had a shot on target it was at the wrong end, Atanas Chernev turning into his own net. Yet it was not completely finished, Merino kicked in the shins and stepping aside to let Oyarzabal smash in the 99th goal of De la Fuente's ongoing reign.