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It all commenced in Scotland and this impressive streak continues. That fateful night at Hampden marked only Luis de la Fuente's second as Spain's manager; many believed it could turn out to be his last assignment. Despite two Scott McTominay goals defeating the Spanish national team, while almost all spectators anticipated his spell would be brief, the coach spoke about a route opening - and interestingly, the man once accused of living in Disneyland proved right.

Three years and later, Spain advanced to within touching distance of World Cup qualification, and also racking up their twenty-ninth consecutive competitive game without defeat, matching the historic record.

Pedri's Influence and Decisive Contribution

During an evening when Pedri played and Mikel Merino made the decisive impact, Spain defeated Bulgaria 4-0 to secure 12 points from 12 in World Cup qualification, edging closer. The Arsenal playmaker and sometime forward scored the opening two goals and might have earned his second consecutive three-goal haul in three Spain matches but when brought down in the final minute, he selflessly passed the spot-kick to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Thus it was the Real Sociedad attacker, scorer of the winning goal in the Euro 2024 showpiece, who maintained the remarkable sequence, matching what Vicente del Bosque's legendary squad accomplished between 2010 and 2013.

Record Equaled

Currently, you might have observed the symbol, and rightly so. Although FIFA might not count it as a loss, during this remarkable run Spain did suffer defeat once – 7-5 on penalties to Portugal in the Nations League decider back in June. Yet formally at least, this present team has matched that legendary team against which all Spanish national teams are compared.

Victory in Georgia in a month and the achievement will be theirs alone. En route they captured the Nations League in 2023, the European Championships in 2024 and reached a Nations League final in 2025; they head toward 2026 ranked No. 1, among the favorites once more, reminiscent of previous eras.

Complete Domination

This was "only" versus Bulgaria, admittedly, similar to previous encounters against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four wins from four, aggregate score 15-0. There were two instances immediately after the Spanish team obtained their first two goals – the third being an own goal – but ultimately their opponents had not been allowed a single shot on target.

Overall count showed: thirty-three to three, Spain clearly being Spain. Bulgaria's coach had admitted the only objective his team could have was to resist as long as possible. As it turned out, that resistance lasted thirty-three minutes, and Merino's header constituted Spain's eighteenth attempt on target already.

Pedri's Masterclass

The display was about all of them, but at the heart of it was Pedri, ubiquitous and elusive at once: present for Spain, nowhere for Bulgaria, unable to track him as he flitted through their lines. He executed one hundred and one passes by the time he was withdrawn to a standing ovation on the sixty-sixth minute, and his were the instances of utmost subtlety, the finest touches and the most incisive as well.

When the José Zorrilla sang his name during the opening period, he had just slipped unnoticed into the area once more, chipping his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the woodwork, but it was not only that. He had previously lifted a gorgeous pass into Álex Baena to strike wide and pulled an additional pass from which Baena was blocked.

Sustained Attack

An cleverly weighted delivery had created opportunity for Samu Aghehowa up for what should have been the opener, and a neat lay-off saw Oyarzabal scuff his shot. He got a opportunity of his own only to fail to find a clean contact, volleying wide.

But then, almost immediately after, he delivered an additional ball in. This time Robin Le Normand nodded across and Merino directed in. Spain, who had 88% of the possession, now had the advantage. The positioning chart appeared like they had exhausted supply of marking paint midway through and a moment later Aghehowa might have made it two.

Momentary Threat

But then in part it's the uncertainty, even the unfairness, that makes football great. And the initial occasion Bulgaria got into Spain's territory they could have equalized, Kiril Despodov suddenly sprinting away and hitting the side-netting.

Brought on for Aghehowa at the half-time, Borja Iglesias had three chances 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 downward and sprint to celebrate round the corner flag.

Final Moments

As they had after the opener, Bulgaria escaped once more, Despodov played through and putting his and their following shot wide and nevertheless the initial instance the visitors had a shot on target it was at the wrong end, Atanas Chernev turning into his own net. Yet it was not quite done, Merino fouled in the shins and allowing to let Oyarzabal smash in the ninety-ninth goal of De la Fuente's ongoing tenure.