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It all began in Scottish soil and this impressive streak continues. That memorable evening at Hampden represented only Luis de la Fuente's second as Spain's manager; many believed it might prove to be his final assignment. Despite a pair of Scott McTominay goals overcoming the Spanish national team, while virtually everyone anticipated 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 to within touching distance of global football qualification, and also racking up their twenty-ninth straight official game unbeaten, matching the legendary record.

Midfield Masterclass and Decisive Contribution

On a night when Pedri played and Mikel Merino created the difference, Spain defeated Bulgaria four-nil to secure a perfect dozen from twelve in qualifying, nearing advancement. The Arsenal midfielder and sometime forward scored the first two goals and could have secured his second consecutive hat-trick in three Spain matches but when fouled in the final minute, he generously handed the penalty to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Therefore it was La Real attacker, scorer of the decisive goal in the European Championship showpiece, who maintained the remarkable sequence, matching what Vicente del Bosque's golden generation achieved between 2010 and 2013.

Historic Achievement

Now, you might have noticed the symbol, and rightly so. Although FIFA may not count it as a defeat, during this remarkable run Spain actually suffer defeat once – seven-five on penalties to Portugal in the Nations League final back in June. Yet formally at least, this current team has matched that legendary team against which all Spanish sides are measured.

Win in Georgia in a month and the achievement will be exclusively theirs. En route 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, reminiscent of old times.

Complete Domination

This was "only" against Bulgaria, admittedly, just as previous matches against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four victories from four outings, aggregate score 15-0. There were two moments immediately after the Spanish team scored their first two goals – the third strike being an self-inflicted – but eventually their opponents had not been allowed a single shot on target.

Overall statistics showed: 33-3, Spain clearly being Spain. Bulgaria's coach had admitted the only objective his team could have was to hold out as long as they could. As it turned out, that resistance 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 core of it was Pedri, ubiquitous and nowhere simultaneously: everywhere for Spain, absent for Bulgaria, unable to track him as he darted through their lines. He completed 101 passes by the time he was withdrawn to a standing ovation on the sixty-sixth minute, and his were the instances of greatest subtlety, the most exquisite touches and the most incisive as well.

When the Valladolid stadium sang his name during the opening period, he had just drifted 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 floated a gorgeous pass into Álex Baena to volley wide and delivered an additional pass from which Baena was blocked.

Sustained Attack

A disguised pass had set Samu Aghehowa up for what ought to have been the first goal, and a neat lay-off saw Oyarzabal mishit his shot. He received a chance of his own only to be unable to find a proper connection, striking wide.

But then, almost immediately after, he floated another ball in. This time Robin Le Normand nodded across and Merino headed in. Spain, who had 88% of the ball, then had the lead. The heat map looked 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 special. And the initial occasion Bulgaria advanced 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 multiple 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 everyone, was Merino to direct the header downward and sprint to do laps round the corner flag.

Final Moments

Similar to their reaction after the opener, Bulgaria escaped once more, Despodov played through and putting his and their second shot wide and yet the initial instance 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 completely finished, Merino fouled in the shins and stepping aside to let Oyarzabal blast in the 99th goal of De la Fuente's ongoing tenure.