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Everything began in Scottish soil and this impressive streak continues. That fateful night at Hampden marked only Luis de la Fuente's second as Spain's head coach; numerous observers thought it might turn out to be his final assignment. Although two Scott McTominay goals defeating the Spanish national team, while almost all spectators anticipated his tenure would be short-lived, De la Fuente talked about a route opening - and remarkably, the manager previously criticized of living in Disneyland turned out correct.

Three years and four days, Spain advanced extremely close of global football participation, while simultaneously achieving their twenty-ninth straight competitive game without defeat, equaling the historic record.

Midfield Masterclass and Merino's Impact

On a night when the Barcelona midfielder featured and Mikel Merino created the decisive impact, Spain overcame Bulgaria four-nil to accumulate a perfect dozen from twelve in World Cup qualification, nearing advancement. The Arsenal midfielder and sometime forward netted the opening two goals and could have earned his second hat-trick in three recent Spain matches but when fouled in the closing minute, he generously handed the spot-kick to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Thus it was La Real striker, goal-getter of the decisive goal in the European Championship final, who continued the impressive sequence, matching what Vicente del Bosque's legendary squad accomplished between 2010 and 2013.

Historic Achievement

Currently, you might have observed the asterisk, and correctly so. While FIFA may not classify it as a loss, during this impressive run Spain actually lose once – 7-5 on penalties to Portugal in the Nations League final back in June. Yet formally at least, this current team has matched that legendary team against which all Spanish national teams are compared.

Victory in Georgia in a month and the record 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 previous eras.

Total Control

The match represented "only" versus Bulgaria, admittedly, just as previous encounters against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four wins from four outings, combined score 15-0. There were two instances immediately after the Spanish team obtained their first two goals – the third being an self-inflicted – but eventually their opponents had not been permitted a single shot on target.

Overall count read: 33-3, Spain demonstrably playing as Spain. Bulgaria's coach had confessed the sole objective his team could have was to hold out as long as they could. Ultimately, that resistance lasted 33 minutes, and Merino's header represented Spain's 18th attempt on target by that point.

Midfield Brilliance

This performance was about all of them, but at the core of it was Pedri, everywhere and nowhere simultaneously: present for Spain, absent for Bulgaria, unable to track him as he darted 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 moments of utmost subtlety, the most exquisite touches and the most incisive too.

When the Valladolid stadium sang his name midway the opening period, he had just slipped unnoticed into the penalty box again, chipping his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the woodwork, but it was not just that. He had already lifted a gorgeous pass into Álex Baena to volley wide and delivered another pass from which Baena was blocked.

Sustained Attack

A disguised pass had set Samu Aghehowa up for what ought to have been the first goal, and a neat pass saw Oyarzabal mishit his attempt. He got a opportunity of his own only to fail to find a proper connection, striking wide.

But then, shortly after, he floated another ball in. This time Robin Le Normand nodded across and Merino directed in. Spain, who had 88% of the possession, now had the lead. The heat map appeared like they had exhausted supply of marking paint midway through and a little later Aghehowa might have made it two.

Brief Resistance

But then in part it's the unpredictability, even the unfairness, that makes football special. And the first time Bulgaria got into Spain's half they might have leveled the score, Kiril Despodov abruptly sprinting away and hitting the side-netting.

Introduced for Aghehowa at the half-time, Borja Iglesias had multiple opportunities in as many minutes before Merino did it once more. The cross from the left flank was excellent from Álex Grimaldo and there, jumping above all defenders, was Merino to power the header downward and dash off to do laps round the corner flag.

Closing Stages

As they had after the opener, Bulgaria escaped once more, Despodov sent through and sending 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. Still it was not quite done, Merino kicked in the shins and allowing to let Oyarzabal blast in the ninety-ninth goal of De la Fuente's continuing reign.