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It all commenced in Scottish soil and this impressive streak remains unbroken. That memorable night at Hampden represented only Luis de la Fuente's second outing as Spain's manager; numerous observers thought it could prove to be his final assignment. Despite a pair of Scott McTominay goals defeating the Spanish national team, whereas almost all spectators expected his spell would be brief, the coach spoke about a pathway emerging - and interestingly, the manager once accused of being unrealistic turned out right.

36 months and four days, Spain advanced extremely close of World Cup qualification, and also racking up their twenty-ninth consecutive competitive game unbeaten, matching the legendary record.

Midfield Masterclass and Merino's Impact

On a night when the Barcelona midfielder played and Mikel Merino made the difference, Spain defeated Bulgaria four-nil to accumulate 12 points from 12 in World Cup qualification, edging closer. The Arsenal playmaker and occasional forward scored the first two goals and could have secured his second hat-trick in three Spain appearances but when brought down in the final 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 maintained the remarkable sequence, matching what Vicente del Bosque's legendary squad accomplished between 2010 and 2013.

Historic Achievement

Now, readers may have noticed the asterisk, and correctly so. While FIFA might not count it as a loss, during this impressive run Spain did lose once – seven-five on penalties to Portugal in the continental tournament final back in June. Yet formally at least, this current team has equaled that historic team against which all Spanish national teams are measured.

Win in Georgia in thirty days and the achievement will be theirs alone. Along the way they won the Nations League in 2023, the European Championships in 2024 and reached a Nations League final in 2025; they approach 2026 sitting number one, among the frontrunners once more, reminiscent of previous eras.

Complete Domination

This was "only" versus Bulgaria, it is true, similar to previous encounters against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four wins from four, combined score fifteen-zero. There were two instances immediately after the Spanish team obtained their first two goals – the third strike being an self-inflicted – but eventually their rivals had not been allowed a solitary shot on target.

The total count showed: thirty-three to three, Spain demonstrably playing as Spain. Bulgaria's coach had confessed the sole objective his team could have was to resist as long as they could. As it turned out, that resistance lasted 33 minutes, and Merino's header represented Spain's 18th 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 completed 101 passes by the time he was substituted to a standing ovation on 66 minutes, and his were the moments of utmost subtlety, the most exquisite touches and the sharpest as well.

When the José Zorrilla chanted his name midway the first half, he had just drifted unmarked into the penalty box once more, dinking his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the crossbar, 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 denied.

Sustained Attack

A disguised delivery had created opportunity for Samu Aghehowa up for what ought to 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 clean contact, volleying wide.

But then, almost immediately after, he delivered an additional ball in. This time Robin Le Normand headed across and Merino directed in. Spain, who had eighty-eight percent of the possession, now had the advantage. The positioning chart looked like they had exhausted supply of spray paint midway through and a little later Aghehowa might have made it two-nil.

Brief Resistance

But then in part it's the unpredictability, even the injustice, that makes football special. And the first time Bulgaria got into Spain's half they could have leveled the score, Kiril Despodov suddenly breaking away and hitting the side-netting.

Introduced for Aghehowa at the break, Borja Iglesias had three chances in as many minutes before Merino did it once more. The delivery from the left flank was superb from Álex Grimaldo and there, jumping above everyone, was Merino to power the header downward and sprint to celebrate around the flagpost.

Closing Stages

Similar to their reaction after the first goal, Bulgaria escaped once more, Despodov sent through and putting his and their second shot wide and nevertheless the first time the visitors had a shot on target it was at the incorrect goal, Atanas Chernev turning into his own net. Yet it was not completely done, Merino kicked in the legs and allowing to let Oyarzabal smash in the ninety-ninth goal of De la Fuente's continuing tenure.