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It all began 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 head coach; many believed it might turn out to be his last match in charge. Despite a pair of Scott McTominay goals overcoming La Furia Roja, whereas virtually everyone expected his spell would be brief, De la Fuente talked about a pathway opening - and interestingly, the man previously criticized of living in Disneyland turned out right.

Three years and later, Spain advanced extremely close of global football participation, and also racking up their 29th straight competitive game without defeat, equaling the legendary record.

Midfield Masterclass and Decisive Contribution

During an evening when the Barcelona midfielder played and Mikel Merino created the difference, Spain overcame Bulgaria 4-0 to secure 12 points from 12 in World Cup qualification, nearing advancement. The Arsenal midfielder and sometime forward netted the opening two goals and might have secured his second consecutive three-goal haul in three recent Spain appearances but when brought down in the final minute, he generously handed the penalty to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Therefore it was the Real Sociedad striker, goal-getter of the winning goal in the European Championship final, who continued the impressive sequence, equaling what Vicente del Bosque's golden generation accomplished between 2010 and 2013.

Record Equaled

Currently, readers may have noticed the symbol, and correctly so. While FIFA might not classify it as a loss, during this impressive run Spain did suffer defeat once – seven-five on penalties to Portugal in the Nations League decider back in June. Yet officially at least, this current team has equaled that legendary squad against which all Spanish sides are measured.

Win in Georgia in thirty days and the record 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 ranked number one, among the favorites once more, just like old times.

Total Control

This was "only" versus Bulgaria, it is true, similar to 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 first two goals – the third strike being an self-inflicted – but ultimately their opponents had not been allowed a single shot on target.

The total statistics showed: thirty-three to three, Spain clearly being Spain. Bulgaria's coach had admitted the sole objective his team could have was to resist as long as they could. As it turned out, that defensive effort lasted 33 minutes, and Merino's header represented Spain's eighteenth attempt on target already.

Midfield Brilliance

This performance was about the entire team, but at the heart of it was Pedri, ubiquitous and elusive at once: everywhere for Spain, absent for Bulgaria, incapable to detect him as he flitted through their defense. He completed 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 utmost subtlety, the most exquisite touches and the most incisive too.

When the Valladolid stadium chanted his name midway the first half, he had just slipped unnoticed into the area once more, chipping his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the crossbar, but it was not only that. He had previously lifted a gorgeous pass into Álex Baena to strike wide and delivered an additional back from which Baena was denied.

Sustained Attack

A disguised pass had set Samu Aghehowa up for what should have been the opener, and a neat pass saw Oyarzabal mishit his shot. He got a chance of his own only to be unable to find a clean contact, striking wide.

But then, shortly after, he floated another ball in. This time Robin Le Normand nodded across and Merino directed in. Spain, who had eighty-eight percent of the possession, now had the lead. The heat map looked like they had exhausted supply of spray paint half way through and a moment later Aghehowa could have made it two-nil.

Brief Resistance

But then in part it's the unpredictability, even the unfairness, that makes football special. And the first time Bulgaria advanced into Spain's territory they could have equalized, Kiril Despodov suddenly sprinting away and striking the side-netting.

Introduced for Aghehowa at the half-time, Borja Iglesias had multiple chances in as many minutes before Merino did it again. The cross from the left flank was excellent from Álex Grimaldo and there, leaping above all defenders, was Merino to direct the header downward and dash off to do laps round the corner flag.

Closing Stages

As they had after the first goal, Bulgaria survived once more, Despodov sent through and putting his and their second shot wide and nevertheless the first time the away team had a shot on target it was at the wrong end, Atanas Chernev deflecting into his own net. Yet it was not quite done, Merino kicked in the shins and allowing to let Oyarzabal blast in the 99th goal of De la Fuente's continuing reign.