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It all began in Scottish soil and this impressive streak continues. That fateful evening at Hampden represented merely Luis de la Fuente's second outing as Spain's manager; numerous observers thought it could turn out to be his last match in charge. Despite a pair of Scott McTominay goals defeating the Spanish national team, while virtually everyone anticipated his spell would be short-lived, the coach spoke about a route emerging - and remarkably, the manager previously criticized of being unrealistic turned out right.

36 months and four days, Spain advanced extremely close of World Cup participation, while simultaneously achieving their twenty-ninth consecutive official game without defeat, equaling the legendary record.

Pedri's Influence and Decisive Contribution

On a night when Pedri played and Mikel Merino created the decisive impact, Spain defeated Bulgaria four-nil to secure a perfect dozen from 12 in qualifying, nearing advancement. The Arsenal midfielder and occasional striker scored the opening two goals and might have earned his second consecutive hat-trick in three Spain appearances but when brought down in the closing minute, he selflessly passed the penalty to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Thus it was La Real striker, goal-getter of the winning goal in the European Championship final, who maintained the remarkable sequence, matching what Vicente del Bosque's legendary squad achieved between 2010 and 2013.

Historic Achievement

Now, readers may have observed the symbol, and correctly so. While FIFA might not count it as a defeat, during this remarkable run Spain did suffer defeat once – 7-5 on penalties to Portugal in the Nations League final back in June. Yet officially at least, this present team has matched that legendary team against which all Spanish sides are compared.

Win in Georgia in a month and the record will be exclusively theirs. En route they captured the Nations League in 2023, the European Championships in 2024 and reached a Nations League final in 2025; they approach 2026 ranked No. 1, among the favorites once more, just like previous eras.

Complete Domination

This was "only" against Bulgaria, it is true, just as previous matches against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four wins from four outings, aggregate score 15-0. There were two instances immediately after the Spanish team scored their first two goals – the third strike being an own goal – but eventually their opponents had not been permitted a single shot on target.

The total statistics showed: 33-3, Spain clearly playing as Spain. Bulgaria's coach had confessed the sole objective his team could have was to hold out as long as they could. Ultimately, that resistance lasted thirty-three minutes, and Merino's header constituted Spain's 18th attempt on target by that point.

Pedri's Masterclass

This performance was about the entire team, but at the heart of it was Pedri, ubiquitous and elusive simultaneously: present for Spain, nowhere for Bulgaria, incapable to detect him as he flitted through their defense. He executed 101 passes by the time he was substituted to a rapturous applause on 66 minutes, and his were the moments of utmost subtlety, the finest touches and the sharpest as well.

When the José Zorrilla sang his name during the opening period, 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 previously lifted a gorgeous pass into Álex Baena to volley wide and delivered an additional back from which Baena was blocked.

Sustained Attack

An cleverly weighted pass had created opportunity for Samu Aghehowa up for what ought to have been the opener, and a precise pass saw Oyarzabal scuff his shot. He got a opportunity of his own only to fail to find a clean contact, striking wide.

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

Momentary Threat

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

Introduced for Aghehowa at the half-time, Borja Iglesias had multiple opportunities in as many minutes before Merino scored once more. The cross from the left flank was superb from Álex Grimaldo and there, leaping above everyone, was Merino to direct the header down and sprint to celebrate round the corner flag.

Final Moments

As they had after the first goal, Bulgaria escaped once more, Despodov sent through and sending his and their following shot wide and nevertheless the first time the away team had a shot on target it was at the incorrect goal, Atanas Chernev deflecting into his team's goal. Yet it was not quite done, Merino kicked in the legs and allowing to let Oyarzabal blast in the 99th goal of De la Fuente's ongoing reign.