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Everything started in Scotland and this impressive streak remains unbroken. That memorable night at Hampden represented merely Luis de la Fuente's second outing as Spain's head coach; many believed it could turn out to be his last match in charge. Despite a pair of Scott McTominay goals overcoming La Furia Roja, while almost all spectators anticipated his spell would be brief, De la Fuente spoke about a route opening - and interestingly, the man once accused of living in Disneyland turned out right.

36 months and four days, Spain moved extremely close of World Cup participation, and also racking up their 29th consecutive competitive game unbeaten, equaling the historic record.

Pedri's Influence and Merino's Impact

During an evening when Pedri played and Mikel Merino made the decisive impact, Spain defeated Bulgaria four-nil to secure 12 points from 12 in World Cup qualification, nearing advancement. The Arsenal playmaker and sometime forward netted the opening two goals and could have secured his second consecutive hat-trick in three Spain matches but after fouled in the closing minute, he selflessly passed the penalty to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Thus it was the Real Sociedad striker, goal-getter of the winning goal in the Euro 2024 showpiece, who maintained the remarkable sequence, equaling what Vicente del Bosque's golden generation accomplished between 2010 and 2013.

Record Equaled

Currently, readers may have noticed the asterisk, and rightly so. While FIFA may not count it as a defeat, during this impressive run Spain actually lose once – seven-five on penalties to Portugal in the continental tournament decider back in June. However officially at least, this present team has matched that historic squad against which all Spanish national teams are measured.

Victory in Georgia in thirty days and the achievement 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 ranked No. 1, among the favorites once more, reminiscent of previous eras.

Complete Domination

The match represented "only" versus Bulgaria, it is true, just as previous encounters against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four victories from four outings, aggregate score 15-0. There were two instances immediately after La Selección scored their opening goals – the third being an own goal – but eventually their rivals had not been allowed a solitary shot on target.

The total statistics showed: 33-3, Spain clearly being Spain. Bulgaria's coach had confessed the sole objective his team could have was to hold out as long as they could. Ultimately, that defensive effort lasted thirty-three minutes, and Merino's header represented Spain's eighteenth attempt on target by that point.

Pedri's Masterclass

This performance was about all of them, but at the heart of it was Pedri, ubiquitous and nowhere at once: everywhere for Spain, nowhere for Bulgaria, incapable to detect him as he flitted through their defense. 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 greatest subtlety, the finest touches and the most incisive as well.

When the José Zorrilla chanted his name during the first half, 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 previously lifted a gorgeous pass into Álex Baena to volley wide and pulled another pass from which Baena was blocked.

Continued Pressure

A disguised delivery had created opportunity for Samu Aghehowa up for what ought to have been the first goal, and a precise lay-off saw Oyarzabal mishit his attempt. He got a chance of his own only to fail to find a proper connection, volleying wide.

But then, almost immediately after, he floated an additional ball in. This time Robin Le Normand nodded across and Merino directed in. Spain, who had 88% of the possession, then had the lead. The heat map appeared like they had run out of spray paint midway through and a little later Aghehowa might have made it two.

Momentary Threat

But then in part it's the uncertainty, even the unfairness, that makes football special. And the initial occasion Bulgaria got into Spain's territory they could have leveled the score, Kiril Despodov abruptly breaking away and striking the outside of the net.

Brought on for Aghehowa at the break, Borja Iglesias had multiple chances in as many minutes before Merino scored again. The delivery from the left flank was excellent from Álex Grimaldo and there, leaping above all defenders, was Merino to power the header downward and sprint to celebrate round the corner flag.

Final Moments

As they had after the first goal, Bulgaria survived once more, Despodov played through and putting his and their second shot wide and yet the initial instance 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 finished, Merino kicked in the legs and stepping aside to let Oyarzabal smash in the 99th goal of De la Fuente's continuing reign.