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It all started in Scottish soil and this impressive streak continues. 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 final match in charge. Although a pair of Scott McTominay goals overcoming La Furia Roja, whereas almost all spectators expected his tenure would be short-lived, De la Fuente talked about a route emerging - and interestingly, the manager once accused of being unrealistic proved right.

Three years and later, Spain moved extremely close of global football qualification, while simultaneously achieving their twenty-ninth straight official game unbeaten, equaling the legendary record.

Pedri's Influence and Decisive Contribution

During an evening when Pedri featured and Mikel Merino created the decisive impact, Spain overcame Bulgaria 4-0 to accumulate 12 points from 12 in World Cup qualification, nearing advancement. The Gunners' playmaker and sometime striker netted the first two goals and could have earned his second consecutive three-goal haul in three Spain appearances but when brought down in the closing minute, he selflessly passed the penalty to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Thus it was the Real Sociedad attacker, scorer of the winning goal in the Euro 2024 final, who continued the remarkable sequence, equaling what Vicente del Bosque's legendary squad achieved between 2010 and 2013.

Record Equaled

Now, you might have noticed the asterisk, and correctly so. Although FIFA might not count it as a defeat, during this remarkable run Spain actually lose once – seven-five on penalties to Portugal in the continental tournament final back in June. Yet formally at least, this current team has matched that historic team against which all Spanish sides are compared.

Victory in Georgia in thirty days and the record will be theirs alone. Along the way they captured the Nations League in 2023, the European Championships in 2024 and advanced to a Nations League final in 2025; they head toward 2026 ranked number one, among the frontrunners once more, just like previous eras.

Total Control

The match represented "only" against Bulgaria, admittedly, just as previous encounters against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four wins from four outings, aggregate score fifteen-zero. There were two instances immediately after La Selección obtained their first two goals – the third being an own goal – but ultimately their rivals had not been permitted a single shot on target.

The total statistics read: thirty-three to three, Spain demonstrably playing as Spain. Bulgaria's coach had confessed the only objective his team could have was to resist as long as possible. Ultimately, that resistance lasted 33 minutes, and Merino's header represented 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, incapable to track him as he darted through their lines. He completed 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 most exquisite touches and the most incisive as well.

When the José Zorrilla chanted his name midway the first half, he had just drifted unnoticed into the area again, chipping his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the crossbar, but it was not only that. He had already lifted a magnificent pass into Álex Baena to volley wide and pulled another pass from which Baena was denied.

Sustained Attack

An cleverly weighted pass had set Samu Aghehowa up for what ought to have been the opener, and a neat pass saw Oyarzabal scuff his shot. He received a chance of his own only to fail to find a clean connection, volleying wide.

But then, shortly after, he floated an additional ball in. This time Robin Le Normand headed 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 marking paint midway through and a little later Aghehowa could have made it two.

Momentary Threat

But then in part it's the unpredictability, even the unfairness, that makes football special. And the first time Bulgaria got into Spain's half they could have leveled the score, Kiril Despodov suddenly sprinting away and striking the outside of the net.

Brought on for Aghehowa at the break, Borja Iglesias had three opportunities in as many minutes before Merino did it again. The cross from the left was excellent from Álex Grimaldo and there, leaping above all defenders, was Merino to power the header down and sprint to do laps round the corner flag.

Final Moments

As they had after the opener, Bulgaria escaped again, Despodov played through and putting his and their following shot wide and nevertheless the initial instance the visitors had a shot on target it was at the incorrect goal, Atanas Chernev turning into his team's goal. Still it was not completely done, Merino fouled in the legs and stepping aside to let Oyarzabal blast in the ninety-ninth goal of De la Fuente's continuing reign.