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Everything commenced in Scottish soil and this impressive streak remains unbroken. That memorable night at Hampden marked merely Luis de la Fuente's second outing as Spain's manager; many believed it might turn out to be his final assignment. Although two Scott McTominay goals defeating La Furia Roja, while virtually everyone expected his tenure would be short-lived, the coach talked about a route emerging - and remarkably, the man previously criticized of living in Disneyland proved correct.

36 months and four days, Spain advanced to within touching distance of global football participation, and also racking up their twenty-ninth consecutive competitive game unbeaten, matching the legendary record.

Midfield Masterclass and Merino's Impact

On a night when Pedri played and Mikel Merino made the decisive impact, Spain overcame Bulgaria 4-0 to accumulate 12 points from 12 in World Cup qualification, edging closer. The Gunners' playmaker and sometime striker netted the first two goals and might have earned his second hat-trick in three recent Spain appearances but after fouled in the final 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 European Championship final, who continued the impressive sequence, matching what Vicente del Bosque's golden generation achieved between 2010 and 2013.

Historic Achievement

Currently, you might have noticed the asterisk, and correctly so. Although FIFA might not count it as a defeat, during this impressive run Spain did lose once – seven-five on penalties to Portugal in the Nations League final back in June. However formally at least, this present team has equaled that historic squad against which all Spanish national teams are compared.

Victory in Georgia in a month and the record will be exclusively theirs. En route they captured the Nations League in 2023, the European Championships in 2024 and advanced to a Nations League final in 2025; they approach 2026 ranked number one, among the frontrunners once more, reminiscent of previous eras.

Total Control

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

Overall statistics read: thirty-three to three, Spain clearly playing as Spain. Bulgaria's coach had admitted the only objective his team could have was to hold out as long as possible. As it turned out, that resistance lasted 33 minutes, and Merino's header constituted Spain's eighteenth attempt on target by that point.

Midfield Brilliance

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, unable to track him as he darted through their defense. He completed 101 passes by the time he was withdrawn to a standing ovation on the sixty-sixth minute, and his were the instances of utmost subtlety, the finest touches and the sharpest too.

When the José Zorrilla chanted his name during the first half, he had just slipped unmarked into the area again, chipping his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the woodwork, but it was not only that. He had already lifted a magnificent pass into Álex Baena to volley wide and delivered another back from which Baena was blocked.

Sustained Attack

An cleverly weighted pass had created opportunity for Samu Aghehowa up for what should have been the opener, and a neat pass saw Oyarzabal scuff his shot. He received a opportunity of his own only to fail to find a clean connection, striking wide.

But then, almost immediately after, he delivered another ball in. This time Robin Le Normand headed across and Merino directed in. Spain, who had eighty-eight percent of the ball, now had the lead. The heat map looked like they had exhausted supply of marking paint midway through and a little later Aghehowa could have made it two.

Momentary Threat

But then in part it's the uncertainty, even the injustice, that makes football special. And the first time Bulgaria advanced into Spain's territory they could have leveled the score, Kiril Despodov abruptly breaking away and hitting the side-netting.

Introduced for Aghehowa at the half-time, Borja Iglesias had three opportunities in as many minutes before Merino scored once more. The cross from the left flank was excellent from Álex Grimaldo and there, jumping above all defenders, was Merino to direct the header downward and dash off to celebrate around the corner flag.

Final Moments

Similar to their reaction after the first goal, Bulgaria survived again, Despodov played through and sending his and their following shot wide and nevertheless the first time 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 quite finished, Merino fouled in the legs and stepping aside to let Oyarzabal smash in the 99th goal of De la Fuente's ongoing tenure.