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It all commenced in Scotland and this impressive streak remains unbroken. That fateful night at Hampden represented merely Luis de la Fuente's second as Spain's manager; many believed it could prove to be his final assignment. Despite two Scott McTominay goals defeating La Furia Roja, while virtually everyone expected his spell would be short-lived, De la Fuente spoke about a pathway emerging - and remarkably, the man once accused of being unrealistic turned out right.

36 months and four days, Spain advanced extremely close of global football participation, and also racking up their 29th consecutive competitive game unbeaten, matching the historic record.

Pedri's Influence and Decisive Contribution

On a night when the Barcelona midfielder featured and Mikel Merino created the difference, Spain defeated Bulgaria four-nil to secure 12 points from 12 in World Cup qualification, nearing advancement. The Gunners' midfielder and sometime forward netted the opening two goals and might have secured his second three-goal haul in three Spain appearances but when brought down in the closing minute, he generously handed the spot-kick to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Thus it was the Real Sociedad attacker, goal-getter of the decisive goal in the Euro 2024 showpiece, who continued the impressive sequence, matching what Vicente del Bosque's legendary squad accomplished between 2010 and 2013.

Historic Achievement

Now, readers may have observed the symbol, and correctly so. While FIFA might not classify it as a defeat, during this impressive run Spain did suffer defeat 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 sides are measured.

Victory 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 reached a Nations League final in 2025; they head toward 2026 sitting number one, among the favorites once more, just like old times.

Complete Domination

The match represented "only" versus Bulgaria, admittedly, just as previous matches against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four wins from four outings, aggregate score fifteen-zero. Occurred two moments immediately after the Spanish team obtained their opening goals – the third strike being an own goal – but ultimately their opponents had not been allowed a solitary shot on target.

The total statistics showed: thirty-three to three, Spain demonstrably playing as Spain. Bulgaria's coach had confessed the only objective his team could have was to hold out as long as they could. Ultimately, that defensive effort lasted 33 minutes, and Merino's header represented Spain's eighteenth attempt on target already.

Midfield Brilliance

This performance was about all of them, but at the core of it was Pedri, ubiquitous and nowhere at once: everywhere for Spain, absent for Bulgaria, unable to track him as he flitted through their lines. He executed one hundred and one passes by the time he was withdrawn to a rapturous applause on the sixty-sixth minute, and his were the instances of greatest subtlety, the most exquisite touches and the sharpest too.

When the Valladolid stadium sang his name midway the opening period, he had just slipped unmarked into the area once more, dinking his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the woodwork, but it was not only that. He had previously lifted a magnificent pass into Álex Baena to strike wide and delivered another pass from which Baena was blocked.

Continued Pressure

A disguised delivery had set Samu Aghehowa up for what should have been the opener, and a neat 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 delivered another ball in. This time Robin Le Normand nodded across and Merino directed in. Spain, who had eighty-eight percent of the possession, then had the advantage. The heat map appeared like they had run out of marking paint half way through and a moment later Aghehowa could have made it two.

Momentary Threat

But then in part it's the uncertainty, even the injustice, that makes football special. And the initial occasion Bulgaria got into Spain's territory they could have equalized, Kiril Despodov abruptly sprinting away and striking the side-netting.

Brought on for Aghehowa at the break, Borja Iglesias had multiple opportunities in as many minutes before Merino did it again. The cross from the left was excellent from Álex Grimaldo and there, jumping above everyone, was Merino to power the header downward and dash off to do laps around the flagpost.

Final Moments

As they had after the opener, Bulgaria escaped again, Despodov played through and putting his and their second shot wide and nevertheless the initial instance the away team had a shot on target it was at the incorrect goal, Atanas Chernev turning into his team's goal. Still it was not quite done, Merino kicked in the legs and allowing to let Oyarzabal blast in the 99th goal of De la Fuente's ongoing reign.