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Everything began in Scotland and this impressive streak remains unbroken. That fateful evening at Hampden represented only Luis de la Fuente's second outing as Spain's manager; many believed it might prove to be his final match in charge. Although two Scott McTominay goals overcoming the Spanish national team, while virtually everyone expected his tenure would be short-lived, the coach talked about a pathway emerging - and remarkably, the man previously criticized of being unrealistic turned out correct.

Three years and four days, Spain moved extremely close of World Cup qualification, while simultaneously achieving their twenty-ninth straight competitive game without defeat, equaling the historic record.

Midfield Masterclass and Decisive Contribution

On a night when Pedri played and Mikel Merino made the difference, Spain overcame Bulgaria four-nil to secure a perfect dozen from 12 in qualifying, edging closer. The Arsenal midfielder and sometime striker netted the first two goals and might have earned his second three-goal haul in three recent Spain matches but after brought down in the final minute, he selflessly passed the penalty to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Thus it was La Real attacker, scorer of the decisive goal in the Euro 2024 showpiece, who maintained the remarkable sequence, equaling what Vicente del Bosque's legendary squad accomplished between 2010 and 2013.

Historic Achievement

Now, you might have observed the symbol, and rightly so. While FIFA may not count it as a defeat, during this remarkable run Spain did lose once – seven-five on penalties to Portugal in the Nations League decider back in June. However officially at least, this present team has equaled that legendary squad against which all Spanish national teams are measured.

Win 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 number one, among the frontrunners once more, just like old times.

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 outings, aggregate score fifteen-zero. There were two instances immediately after the Spanish team obtained their first two goals – the third strike being an own goal – but ultimately their opponents had not been allowed a solitary shot on target.

Overall count showed: thirty-three to three, 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. As it turned out, that resistance lasted 33 minutes, and Merino's header represented Spain's eighteenth attempt on target by that point.

Pedri's Masterclass

The display was about all of them, but at the heart of it was Pedri, ubiquitous and elusive simultaneously: everywhere for Spain, absent for Bulgaria, unable to track him as he flitted through their lines. He completed 101 passes by the time he was substituted to a rapturous applause on 66 minutes, and his were the moments of greatest subtlety, the most exquisite touches and the most incisive too.

When the Valladolid stadium sang his name during the opening period, he had just slipped unnoticed into the penalty box once more, dinking his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the woodwork, but it was not just that. He had previously floated a gorgeous pass into Álex Baena to strike wide and delivered another pass from which Baena was blocked.

Continued Pressure

An cleverly weighted pass had set Samu Aghehowa up for what ought to have been the opener, and a precise lay-off saw Oyarzabal mishit his shot. He got a chance of his own only to fail to find a clean connection, volleying wide.

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

Brief Resistance

But then in part it's the uncertainty, even the unfairness, that makes football special. And the first time Bulgaria advanced into Spain's territory they might have leveled the score, Kiril Despodov suddenly sprinting away and striking the side-netting.

Introduced for Aghehowa at the half-time, Borja Iglesias had multiple opportunities in as many minutes before Merino scored once more. The cross from the left was excellent from Álex Grimaldo and there, leaping above everyone, was Merino to direct the header downward and dash off to celebrate around the flagpost.

Final Moments

Similar to their reaction after the opener, Bulgaria survived once more, Despodov played through and sending his and their second shot wide and nevertheless the first time the visitors had a shot on target it was at the wrong end, Atanas Chernev turning into his own net. Still it was not completely finished, Merino kicked in the shins and stepping aside to let Oyarzabal smash in the ninety-ninth goal of De la Fuente's ongoing tenure.