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It all started in Scottish soil and the momentum remains unbroken. That memorable night at Hampden represented merely Luis de la Fuente's second outing as Spain's head coach; many believed it could prove to be his last match in charge. Although two Scott McTominay goals defeating La Furia Roja, while almost all spectators expected his tenure would be brief, De la Fuente spoke about a pathway opening - and remarkably, the manager previously criticized of living in Disneyland turned out correct.

Three years and later, Spain moved extremely close of global football participation, and also achieving their twenty-ninth consecutive official game unbeaten, matching the legendary record.

Midfield Masterclass and Decisive Contribution

On a night when the Barcelona midfielder featured and Mikel Merino made the difference, Spain defeated Bulgaria 4-0 to accumulate 12 points from twelve in qualifying, nearing advancement. The Arsenal playmaker and occasional striker scored the first two goals and might have secured his second three-goal haul in three Spain matches but after fouled in the final minute, he selflessly passed the penalty to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Therefore it was La Real striker, scorer of the winning goal in the Euro 2024 final, who maintained the remarkable sequence, matching what Vicente del Bosque's golden generation accomplished between 2010 and 2013.

Record Equaled

Currently, you might have noticed the symbol, and rightly so. While FIFA might not classify it as a defeat, during this remarkable run Spain did suffer defeat once – seven-five on penalties to Portugal in the continental tournament final back in June. However officially at least, this current team has matched that historic team against which all Spanish national teams are compared.

Victory in Georgia in thirty days and the record will be theirs alone. Along the way 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 frontrunners once more, reminiscent of old times.

Total Control

The match represented "only" versus Bulgaria, it is true, just as previous matches against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four victories from four outings, aggregate score 15-0. There were two instances immediately after La Selección scored their opening goals – the third being an self-inflicted – but ultimately their rivals had not been permitted a single shot on target.

The total statistics read: 33-3, Spain clearly being Spain. Bulgaria's coach had confessed the sole objective his team could have was to resist as long as they could. As it turned out, that defensive effort lasted 33 minutes, and Merino's header constituted Spain's 18th attempt on target already.

Midfield Brilliance

The display was about the entire team, but at the heart of it was Pedri, ubiquitous and nowhere at once: everywhere for Spain, absent for Bulgaria, unable to detect him as he darted through their defense. He completed 101 passes by the time he was substituted to a rapturous applause on 66 minutes, and his were the instances of utmost subtlety, the most exquisite touches and the sharpest as well.

When the José Zorrilla chanted his name midway the opening period, he had just drifted unmarked into the area once more, dinking his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the crossbar, but it was not just that. He had already lifted a magnificent pass into Álex Baena to volley wide and delivered another back from which Baena was denied.

Sustained Attack

An cleverly weighted pass had created opportunity for Samu Aghehowa up for what should have been the opener, and a precise lay-off saw Oyarzabal mishit his attempt. He received a chance of his own only to be unable to find a clean connection, striking 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 ball, now had the lead. The positioning chart appeared like they had exhausted supply of spray paint half way through and a moment later Aghehowa could have made it two.

Brief Resistance

But then in part it's the unpredictability, even the unfairness, that makes football great. And the first time Bulgaria advanced into Spain's half they could have leveled the score, Kiril Despodov abruptly sprinting away and striking the side-netting.

Introduced for Aghehowa at the break, Borja Iglesias had multiple chances in as many minutes before Merino did it again. The cross from the left was excellent from Álex Grimaldo and there, jumping above all defenders, was Merino to power the header down and sprint to do laps round the corner flag.

Closing Stages

As they had after the first goal, Bulgaria survived again, Despodov sent through and putting his and their second shot wide and nevertheless the first time the visitors had a shot on target it was at the wrong end, Atanas Chernev turning into his own net. Still it was not completely done, Merino kicked in the legs and allowing to let Oyarzabal blast in the 99th goal of De la Fuente's ongoing reign.