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It all commenced in Scotland and this impressive streak persists. That memorable evening at Hampden represented merely Luis de la Fuente's second outing as Spain's head coach; many believed it could prove to be his last assignment. Despite a pair of Scott McTominay goals overcoming the Spanish national team, while almost all spectators expected his tenure would be short-lived, the coach talked about a route opening - and interestingly, the man once accused of being unrealistic proved right.

Three years and later, Spain advanced to within touching distance of global football participation, while simultaneously racking up their twenty-ninth straight official game without defeat, equaling the historic record.

Midfield Masterclass and Decisive Contribution

During an evening when Pedri played and Mikel Merino created the difference, Spain defeated Bulgaria 4-0 to accumulate 12 points from 12 in qualifying, nearing advancement. The Arsenal midfielder and sometime striker netted the first two goals and could have earned his second consecutive three-goal haul in three recent Spain matches but after fouled in the final minute, he selflessly passed the penalty to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Therefore it was La Real striker, scorer of the winning goal in the Euro 2024 showpiece, who continued the impressive sequence, equaling what Vicente del Bosque's golden generation achieved between 2010 and 2013.

Record Equaled

Now, readers may have noticed the asterisk, and rightly so. While FIFA may not count it as a loss, during this impressive run Spain did lose once – seven-five on penalties to Portugal in the Nations League final back in June. Yet formally at least, this current team has matched that historic squad against which all Spanish national teams are measured.

Victory in Georgia in a month and the achievement 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 head toward 2026 sitting No. 1, among the favorites once more, reminiscent of 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, combined score 15-0. Occurred two moments immediately after the Spanish team scored their opening goals – the third being an self-inflicted – but eventually their opponents had not been permitted a single shot on target.

The total count showed: 33-3, Spain clearly being Spain. Bulgaria's coach had confessed the sole objective his team could have was to hold out as long as they could. As it turned out, that resistance lasted thirty-three minutes, and Merino's header constituted Spain's eighteenth attempt on target already.

Midfield Brilliance

This performance was about the entire team, but at the core of it was Pedri, ubiquitous and elusive simultaneously: everywhere for Spain, absent for Bulgaria, incapable to detect him as he flitted through their defense. He executed 101 passes by the time he was substituted to a rapturous applause on 66 minutes, and his were the instances of utmost subtlety, the finest touches and the most incisive as well.

When the Valladolid stadium chanted 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 woodwork, but it was not just that. He had previously lifted a gorgeous pass into Álex Baena to strike wide and delivered an additional back from which Baena was denied.

Sustained Attack

An cleverly weighted delivery had created opportunity for Samu Aghehowa up for what should have been the opener, and a neat lay-off saw Oyarzabal mishit his shot. He received a chance of his own only to be unable to find a proper connection, striking wide.

But then, almost immediately after, he delivered another ball in. This time Robin Le Normand nodded across and Merino headed in. Spain, who had 88% of the possession, now had the lead. The heat map looked like they had run out of spray paint midway 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 initial occasion Bulgaria advanced into Spain's territory they might have equalized, Kiril Despodov suddenly sprinting away and hitting the outside of the net.

Brought on for Aghehowa at the half-time, Borja Iglesias had multiple opportunities in as many minutes before Merino scored again. The delivery from the left was superb from Álex Grimaldo and there, jumping above all defenders, was Merino to power the header down and dash off to do laps around the corner flag.

Closing Stages

Similar to their reaction after the first goal, Bulgaria survived once more, Despodov sent through and sending his and their second shot wide and yet the initial instance the away team had a shot on target it was at the incorrect goal, Atanas Chernev turning into his team's goal. Still it was not quite done, Merino fouled in the legs and allowing to let Oyarzabal smash in the 99th goal of De la Fuente's continuing tenure.