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It all began in Scottish soil and this impressive streak persists. That fateful night at Hampden represented only Luis de la Fuente's second as Spain's head coach; many believed it might prove to be his last match in charge. Despite a pair of Scott McTominay goals defeating La Furia Roja, while almost all spectators expected his tenure would be brief, De la Fuente talked about a pathway emerging - and interestingly, the man previously criticized of living in Disneyland turned out correct.

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

Midfield Masterclass and Merino's Impact

During an evening when Pedri featured and Mikel Merino created the difference, Spain defeated Bulgaria four-nil to secure 12 points from twelve in qualifying, nearing advancement. The Arsenal midfielder and occasional forward netted the opening two goals and might have secured his second three-goal haul in three recent Spain appearances but when brought down in the final minute, he generously handed the penalty to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Thus it was La Real striker, scorer of the decisive goal in the European Championship final, who maintained the remarkable sequence, equaling what Vicente del Bosque's golden generation accomplished between 2010 and 2013.

Record Equaled

Currently, you might have observed the asterisk, and correctly so. Although FIFA may not classify it as a defeat, during this impressive run Spain did suffer defeat once – 7-5 on penalties to Portugal in the continental tournament final back in June. However formally at least, this current team has matched that historic team against which all Spanish national teams are measured.

Victory in Georgia in thirty days and the record will be exclusively theirs. Along the way they won the Nations League in 2023, the European Championships in 2024 and reached a Nations League final in 2025; they approach 2026 sitting number one, among the favorites once more, reminiscent of previous eras.

Total Control

This was "only" against Bulgaria, it is true, similar to previous encounters against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four wins from four, combined score fifteen-zero. Occurred two instances immediately after the Spanish team scored their opening goals – the third strike being an self-inflicted – but ultimately their rivals had not been allowed a solitary shot on target.

The total statistics 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. As it turned out, that resistance lasted 33 minutes, and Merino's header constituted Spain's 18th attempt on target by that point.

Midfield Brilliance

This performance was about all of them, but at the heart of it was Pedri, ubiquitous and nowhere simultaneously: present for Spain, nowhere for Bulgaria, unable to track him as he darted through their defense. He completed one hundred and one passes by the time he was withdrawn to a rapturous applause on 66 minutes, and his were the instances of utmost subtlety, the finest touches and the most incisive too.

When the José Zorrilla chanted his name during the opening period, he had just slipped unmarked into the penalty box once more, chipping his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the crossbar, but it was not only that. He had already floated a gorgeous pass into Álex Baena to volley wide and pulled another back from which Baena was denied.

Sustained Attack

An cleverly weighted pass had created opportunity for Samu Aghehowa up for what ought to have been the first goal, and a precise lay-off saw Oyarzabal scuff his attempt. He got a opportunity of his own only to fail to find a proper connection, volleying wide.

But then, almost immediately after, he floated another ball in. This time Robin Le Normand nodded across and Merino directed in. Spain, who had eighty-eight percent of the possession, now had the advantage. The heat map looked 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 uncertainty, even the unfairness, that makes football special. And the first time Bulgaria advanced into Spain's territory they could have equalized, Kiril Despodov suddenly sprinting away and striking 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 flank was excellent from Álex Grimaldo and there, jumping above all defenders, was Merino to direct the header downward and dash off to celebrate round the flagpost.

Final Moments

As they had after the opener, Bulgaria escaped once more, Despodov played through and putting his and their second shot wide and nevertheless the first time the away team had a shot on target it was at the wrong end, Atanas Chernev deflecting into his team's goal. Still it was not completely done, Merino kicked in the legs and allowing to let Oyarzabal smash in the 99th goal of De la Fuente's continuing reign.