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Everything commenced in Scottish soil and this impressive streak continues. That memorable night at Hampden marked merely Luis de la Fuente's second as Spain's head coach; numerous observers thought it might turn out to be his last match in charge. Although a pair of Scott McTominay goals defeating La Furia Roja, whereas virtually everyone anticipated his tenure would be brief, the coach spoke about a pathway emerging - and remarkably, the man once accused of being unrealistic turned out right.

36 months and later, Spain moved extremely close of global football participation, while simultaneously achieving their twenty-ninth straight official game without defeat, equaling the historic record.

Pedri's Influence and Decisive Contribution

On a night when Pedri played and Mikel Merino created the decisive impact, Spain defeated Bulgaria 4-0 to accumulate a perfect dozen from 12 in World Cup qualification, nearing advancement. The Gunners' midfielder and sometime striker netted the first two goals and could have earned his second consecutive three-goal haul in three Spain matches but when fouled in the final minute, he selflessly passed the penalty to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Thus it was La Real striker, scorer of the winning goal in the European Championship final, who continued the impressive sequence, equaling what Vicente del Bosque's golden generation achieved between 2010 and 2013.

Record Equaled

Currently, you might have noticed the symbol, and rightly so. While FIFA might not classify it as a loss, during this remarkable run Spain did lose once – seven-five on penalties to Portugal in the continental tournament decider back in June. However officially at least, this present team has equaled that historic squad against which all Spanish national teams are measured.

Victory in Georgia in thirty days 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 sitting No. 1, among the frontrunners once more, just like previous eras.

Complete Domination

This was "only" against Bulgaria, it is true, just as previous matches against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four victories from four outings, aggregate score fifteen-zero. Occurred two instances immediately after La Selección obtained their opening goals – the third being an own goal – but eventually their opponents had not been allowed a single shot on target.

Overall statistics read: thirty-three to three, Spain clearly being Spain. Bulgaria's coach had confessed the only objective his team could have was to resist as long as they could. As it turned out, that resistance lasted thirty-three minutes, and Merino's header constituted Spain's eighteenth attempt on target already.

Midfield Brilliance

This performance was about the entire team, but at the heart of it was Pedri, everywhere and elusive simultaneously: everywhere for Spain, nowhere for Bulgaria, incapable to detect him as he flitted through their lines. He completed 101 passes by the time he was substituted to a standing ovation on the sixty-sixth minute, and his were the moments of utmost subtlety, the most exquisite touches and the most incisive too.

When the José Zorrilla sang his name midway the first half, he had just slipped unmarked into the area again, chipping his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the crossbar, but it was not just that. He had already lifted a gorgeous pass into Álex Baena to volley wide and pulled an additional pass from which Baena was denied.

Continued Pressure

A disguised delivery had set Samu Aghehowa up for what should have been the first goal, and a precise pass saw Oyarzabal scuff his shot. He got a chance of his own only to fail to find a proper contact, volleying wide.

But then, shortly after, he floated another ball in. This time Robin Le Normand nodded across and Merino headed in. Spain, who had 88% of the ball, now had the advantage. The heat map looked like they had exhausted supply of spray paint half way through and a little later Aghehowa could have made it two.

Momentary Threat

But then in part it's the unpredictability, even the injustice, that makes football great. And the first time Bulgaria advanced into Spain's half they might have equalized, Kiril Despodov abruptly breaking away and hitting the side-netting.

Brought on for Aghehowa at the half-time, Borja Iglesias had three opportunities in as many minutes before Merino scored again. The cross from the left was excellent from Álex Grimaldo and there, jumping above all defenders, was Merino to direct the header downward and dash off to do laps around the flagpost.

Final Moments

As they had after the opener, Bulgaria escaped once more, Despodov sent through and putting his and their second shot wide and nevertheless the initial instance the visitors had a shot on target it was at the incorrect goal, Atanas Chernev deflecting into his own net. Yet it was not quite done, Merino kicked in the shins and stepping aside to let Oyarzabal blast in the ninety-ninth goal of De la Fuente's ongoing tenure.