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It all commenced in Scotland and this impressive streak persists. 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 match in charge. Although a pair of Scott McTominay goals overcoming La Furia Roja, whereas almost all spectators expected his spell would be short-lived, De la Fuente spoke about a route emerging - and interestingly, the manager previously criticized of living in Disneyland proved correct.

36 months and four days, Spain moved extremely close of global football participation, and also racking up their 29th consecutive competitive game unbeaten, equaling the legendary record.

Midfield Masterclass and Merino's Impact

On a night when the Barcelona midfielder played and Mikel Merino created the difference, Spain overcame Bulgaria four-nil to accumulate 12 points from 12 in qualifying, nearing advancement. The Gunners' playmaker and sometime forward scored the opening two goals and could have earned his second hat-trick in three Spain appearances but after fouled in the final minute, he generously handed the spot-kick to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

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

Record Equaled

Currently, you might have observed the asterisk, and rightly so. Although FIFA might not count it as a defeat, during this remarkable run Spain did suffer defeat once – seven-five on penalties to Portugal in the continental tournament decider back in June. However formally at least, this present team has matched that historic squad against which all Spanish sides are measured.

Victory in Georgia in a month and the achievement will be theirs alone. Along the way they won the Nations League in 2023, the European Championships in 2024 and advanced to a Nations League final in 2025; they head toward 2026 sitting No. 1, among the frontrunners once more, reminiscent of previous eras.

Total Control

The match represented "only" against Bulgaria, admittedly, similar to previous encounters against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four victories from four outings, aggregate score 15-0. Occurred two instances immediately after the Spanish team obtained their first two goals – the third being an self-inflicted – but eventually their opponents had not been allowed a solitary shot on target.

Overall 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 thirty-three minutes, and Merino's header constituted Spain's eighteenth attempt on target already.

Midfield Brilliance

This performance was about the entire team, but at the core of it was Pedri, everywhere and nowhere simultaneously: present for Spain, nowhere for Bulgaria, incapable to detect him as he darted through their defense. 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 sharpest too.

When the José Zorrilla sang his name during the opening period, he had just slipped unmarked into the area again, chipping his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the crossbar, but it was not just that. He had already lifted a gorgeous pass into Álex Baena to volley wide and delivered an additional back from which Baena was denied.

Continued Pressure

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 proper contact, volleying wide.

But then, almost immediately 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 ball, then had the lead. The heat map appeared like they had exhausted supply of spray paint half way through and a moment later Aghehowa might 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 half they might have leveled the score, Kiril Despodov suddenly sprinting away and hitting the outside of the net.

Introduced for Aghehowa at the break, Borja Iglesias had three chances in as many minutes before Merino scored once more. The delivery from the left flank was superb from Álex Grimaldo and there, jumping above all defenders, was Merino to power the header downward and sprint to do laps round the corner flag.

Final Moments

Similar to their reaction after the opener, Bulgaria escaped again, Despodov played through and putting his and their second shot wide and yet 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 finished, Merino kicked in the legs and stepping aside to let Oyarzabal smash in the ninety-ninth goal of De la Fuente's continuing reign.