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Everything 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 manager; many believed it might turn out to be his final assignment. Despite a pair of Scott McTominay goals overcoming La Furia Roja, while virtually everyone anticipated his spell would be brief, De la Fuente spoke about a pathway opening - and interestingly, the man once accused of being unrealistic turned out correct.

36 months and four days, Spain advanced extremely close of global football participation, and also achieving their 29th consecutive competitive game without defeat, equaling the legendary record.

Midfield Masterclass and Decisive Contribution

On a night when the Barcelona midfielder featured and Mikel Merino made the decisive impact, Spain defeated Bulgaria four-nil to accumulate a perfect dozen from twelve in qualifying, nearing advancement. The Arsenal playmaker and sometime striker scored the first two goals and could have secured his second three-goal haul in three Spain matches but when fouled in the closing minute, he generously handed the spot-kick to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Thus it was the Real Sociedad striker, goal-getter of the decisive goal in the European Championship showpiece, who maintained the remarkable sequence, matching what Vicente del Bosque's golden generation accomplished between 2010 and 2013.

Historic Achievement

Now, readers may have observed the asterisk, and correctly so. While FIFA may not classify it as a loss, during this impressive run Spain did suffer defeat once – 7-5 on penalties to Portugal in the continental tournament decider back in June. Yet officially at least, this present 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 head toward 2026 ranked No. 1, among the favorites once more, reminiscent of old times.

Total Control

The match represented "only" versus Bulgaria, it is true, similar to previous matches against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four victories from four, combined score fifteen-zero. Occurred two instances immediately after La Selección obtained their first two goals – the third being an own goal – but ultimately their opponents had not been allowed a single shot on target.

Overall count read: 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 they could. Ultimately, that defensive effort lasted thirty-three minutes, and Merino's header represented Spain's 18th attempt on target already.

Pedri's Masterclass

This performance was about the entire team, but at the heart of it was Pedri, everywhere and nowhere simultaneously: everywhere for Spain, absent for Bulgaria, incapable to detect him as he darted through their defense. He executed 101 passes by the time he was withdrawn to a rapturous applause on the sixty-sixth minute, and his were the instances of greatest subtlety, the finest touches and the sharpest too.

When the José Zorrilla sang his name midway the first half, he had just slipped unmarked into the area once more, chipping his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the crossbar, but it was not just that. He had already floated a magnificent pass into Álex Baena to volley wide and delivered an additional back from which Baena was blocked.

Continued Pressure

An cleverly weighted pass had created opportunity for Samu Aghehowa up for what should have been the opener, and a precise lay-off saw Oyarzabal mishit his attempt. He got a opportunity of his own only to fail to find a clean contact, striking wide.

But then, almost immediately after, he delivered an additional ball in. This time Robin Le Normand nodded across and Merino directed in. Spain, who had 88% of the ball, then had the advantage. The positioning chart appeared like they had run out of spray paint half way through and a moment later Aghehowa could have made it two.

Momentary Threat

But then in part it's the uncertainty, even the unfairness, that makes football great. And the initial occasion Bulgaria got into Spain's territory they could have equalized, Kiril Despodov suddenly sprinting away and hitting the side-netting.

Introduced for Aghehowa at the half-time, Borja Iglesias had multiple chances in as many minutes before Merino did it again. The cross from the left was superb from Álex Grimaldo and there, leaping above all defenders, was Merino to direct the header down and sprint to celebrate around the flagpost.

Closing Stages

As they had after the opener, Bulgaria escaped again, 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 deflecting into his own net. Yet it was not quite done, Merino kicked in the legs and stepping aside to let Oyarzabal blast in the ninety-ninth goal of De la Fuente's ongoing tenure.