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It all started in Scottish soil and this impressive streak persists. That fateful night at Hampden marked merely Luis de la Fuente's second as Spain's head coach; many believed it might prove to be his last assignment. Despite a pair of Scott McTominay goals overcoming La Furia Roja, whereas almost all spectators expected his spell would be brief, De la Fuente spoke about a route opening - and interestingly, the man once accused of being unrealistic proved 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 created the difference, Spain defeated Bulgaria four-nil to secure 12 points from twelve in World Cup qualification, nearing advancement. The Arsenal midfielder and sometime striker netted the opening two goals and could have secured his second consecutive three-goal haul in three recent Spain matches but when brought down in the closing minute, he generously handed the penalty to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Thus it was the Real Sociedad striker, scorer of the decisive goal in the European Championship showpiece, who continued the impressive sequence, equaling what Vicente del Bosque's golden generation achieved between 2010 and 2013.

Historic Achievement

Now, you might have noticed the asterisk, and correctly so. Although FIFA might not classify it as a loss, during this remarkable run Spain did lose once – 7-5 on penalties to Portugal in the continental tournament final back in June. Yet formally at least, this current team has equaled that historic squad against which all Spanish national teams are compared.

Victory in Georgia in thirty days and the achievement will be exclusively theirs. En route they won the Nations League in 2023, the European Championships in 2024 and advanced to a Nations League final in 2025; they approach 2026 sitting No. 1, among the favorites once more, reminiscent of previous eras.

Total Control

This was "only" versus Bulgaria, admittedly, just as previous matches against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four wins from four outings, aggregate score fifteen-zero. There were two moments immediately after the Spanish team obtained their first two goals – the third being an self-inflicted – but ultimately their opponents had not been allowed a solitary shot on target.

Overall count showed: 33-3, Spain demonstrably playing as Spain. Bulgaria's coach had admitted 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 represented Spain's 18th attempt on target already.

Midfield Brilliance

This performance was about the entire team, but at the core of it was Pedri, ubiquitous and nowhere simultaneously: everywhere for Spain, nowhere for Bulgaria, incapable to detect him as he darted through their lines. He executed one hundred and one 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 finest touches and the most incisive as well.

When the Valladolid stadium sang 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 previously lifted a magnificent pass into Álex Baena to volley wide and delivered another back from which Baena was denied.

Continued Pressure

An cleverly weighted pass had set Samu Aghehowa up for what should have been the opener, and a precise lay-off saw Oyarzabal mishit his attempt. He got a chance of his own only to fail to find a clean contact, striking wide.

But then, shortly after, he delivered another ball in. This time Robin Le Normand nodded across and Merino headed in. Spain, who had eighty-eight percent of the possession, now had the advantage. The positioning chart looked like they had exhausted supply of marking paint midway 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 great. And the initial occasion Bulgaria advanced into Spain's half they could have leveled the score, Kiril Despodov abruptly breaking away and striking the side-netting.

Brought on for Aghehowa at the half-time, Borja Iglesias had three opportunities in as many minutes before Merino did it once more. The delivery from the left flank was excellent from Álex Grimaldo and there, leaping above all defenders, was Merino to power the header down and dash off to celebrate around the corner flag.

Final Moments

Similar to their reaction after the opener, Bulgaria escaped again, Despodov played through and putting his and their following shot wide and yet the first time the visitors had a shot on target it was at the wrong end, Atanas Chernev turning into his team's goal. Yet it was not completely finished, Merino fouled in the legs and stepping aside to let Oyarzabal smash in the ninety-ninth goal of De la Fuente's continuing tenure.