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It all commenced in Scottish soil and this impressive streak continues. That fateful night at Hampden marked merely Luis de la Fuente's second as Spain's manager; many believed it might turn out to be his last assignment. Although two Scott McTominay goals overcoming the Spanish national team, while almost all spectators anticipated his tenure would be short-lived, the coach talked about a pathway opening - and interestingly, the man once accused of living in Disneyland proved correct.

36 months and four days, Spain advanced to within touching distance of global football qualification, while simultaneously racking up their 29th consecutive official game without defeat, matching the legendary record.

Pedri's Influence and Decisive Contribution

During an evening when Pedri featured and Mikel Merino made the decisive impact, Spain defeated Bulgaria four-nil to secure a perfect dozen from twelve 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 appearances but when fouled in the closing minute, he selflessly passed the penalty to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Therefore it was the Real Sociedad attacker, goal-getter of the decisive goal in the Euro 2024 final, who maintained the impressive sequence, equaling what Vicente del Bosque's golden generation accomplished between 2010 and 2013.

Record Equaled

Now, you might have observed the asterisk, and rightly so. Although FIFA may not count it as a loss, during this remarkable run Spain actually suffer defeat once – 7-5 on penalties to Portugal in the Nations League decider back in June. However formally at least, this present team has equaled that legendary team against which all Spanish national teams are measured.

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 reached a Nations League final in 2025; they approach 2026 sitting No. 1, among the favorites once more, just like old times.

Total Control

The match represented "only" versus Bulgaria, admittedly, just as previous matches against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four victories from four outings, combined score 15-0. Occurred two instances immediately after the Spanish team scored their opening goals – the third strike being an own goal – but eventually their rivals had not been permitted a solitary shot on target.

The total statistics showed: thirty-three to three, 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 defensive effort lasted 33 minutes, and Merino's header constituted Spain's eighteenth attempt on target already.

Midfield Brilliance

The display was about all of them, but at the core of it was Pedri, everywhere and elusive at once: present for Spain, nowhere for Bulgaria, unable to detect him as he darted through their lines. He executed one hundred and one passes by the time he was withdrawn to a standing ovation on the sixty-sixth minute, and his were the moments of greatest subtlety, the most exquisite touches and the most incisive as well.

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

Sustained Attack

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

But then, shortly after, he delivered another ball in. This time Robin Le Normand headed across and Merino directed in. Spain, who had 88% of the possession, now had the advantage. The positioning chart looked like they had exhausted supply of marking paint half way through and a moment later Aghehowa could have made it two-nil.

Momentary Threat

But then in part it's the unpredictability, even the unfairness, that makes football special. And the initial occasion Bulgaria advanced into Spain's territory they could have leveled the score, Kiril Despodov suddenly breaking away and striking the side-netting.

Introduced for Aghehowa at the break, Borja Iglesias had three chances in as many minutes before Merino did it once more. The delivery from the left flank was superb from Álex Grimaldo and there, leaping above everyone, was Merino to direct the header downward and sprint to do laps round the flagpost.

Final Moments

Similar to their reaction after the opener, Bulgaria survived once more, Despodov sent 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 turning into his own net. Yet it was not quite done, Merino fouled in the shins and stepping aside to let Oyarzabal blast in the 99th goal of De la Fuente's continuing reign.