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It all began in Scottish soil and this impressive streak continues. That memorable night at Hampden marked only Luis de la Fuente's second as Spain's manager; many believed it could prove to be his final assignment. Although two Scott McTominay goals overcoming the Spanish national team, whereas virtually everyone expected his spell would be short-lived, the coach talked about a pathway emerging - and interestingly, the manager previously criticized of living in Disneyland proved right.

36 months and later, Spain moved extremely close of global football participation, and also achieving their 29th consecutive official game without defeat, matching the historic record.

Pedri's Influence and Merino's Impact

During an evening when Pedri played and Mikel Merino created the difference, Spain overcame Bulgaria 4-0 to secure a perfect dozen from twelve in qualifying, edging closer. The Arsenal playmaker and sometime forward netted the first two goals and could have earned his second consecutive hat-trick in three recent Spain appearances but after fouled in the final minute, he generously handed the penalty to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Therefore it was La Real striker, goal-getter of the decisive goal in the European Championship final, who continued the impressive sequence, equaling what Vicente del Bosque's legendary squad achieved between 2010 and 2013.

Record Equaled

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

Win in Georgia in thirty days and the record will be exclusively theirs. 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 No. 1, among the favorites once more, just like previous eras.

Complete Domination

This was "only" against Bulgaria, admittedly, just as previous encounters against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four wins from four, aggregate score 15-0. There were two instances immediately after the Spanish team obtained their first two goals – the third strike being an own goal – but ultimately their rivals had not been permitted a solitary shot on target.

Overall count showed: thirty-three to three, Spain clearly playing as Spain. Bulgaria's coach had confessed the only objective his team could have was to hold out as long as possible. As it turned out, that defensive effort lasted 33 minutes, and Merino's header constituted Spain's eighteenth attempt on target already.

Midfield Brilliance

This performance was about all of them, but at the heart of it was Pedri, ubiquitous and elusive simultaneously: present for Spain, absent for Bulgaria, incapable to detect him as he flitted through their defense. He executed 101 passes by the time he was withdrawn to a rapturous applause 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 chanted his name during the opening period, he had just slipped unnoticed into the area once more, chipping his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the woodwork, but it was not just that. He had already floated a magnificent pass into Álex Baena to strike wide and pulled an additional pass from which Baena was blocked.

Continued Pressure

An cleverly weighted pass had set Samu Aghehowa up for what should have been the first goal, and a precise lay-off saw Oyarzabal mishit his shot. He received a chance of his own only to fail to find a proper contact, volleying wide.

But then, almost immediately after, he delivered another ball in. This time Robin Le Normand headed across and Merino headed in. Spain, who had 88% of the ball, then had the advantage. The heat map appeared like they had run out of marking paint midway through and a moment later Aghehowa might have made it two.

Brief Resistance

But then in part it's the uncertainty, even the unfairness, that makes football great. And the initial occasion Bulgaria advanced into Spain's half they could have equalized, Kiril Despodov suddenly breaking away and striking the outside of the net.

Introduced for Aghehowa at the half-time, Borja Iglesias had three chances in as many minutes before Merino did it again. The delivery from the left was excellent from Álex Grimaldo and there, jumping above everyone, was Merino to power the header down and dash off to do laps round the flagpost.

Final Moments

Similar to their reaction after the first goal, Bulgaria escaped again, Despodov played through and sending his and their following shot wide and yet the initial instance the visitors had a shot on target it was at the wrong end, Atanas Chernev deflecting into his own net. Still it was not completely done, Merino kicked in the legs and allowing to let Oyarzabal blast in the 99th goal of De la Fuente's continuing tenure.