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It all began in Scottish soil and this impressive streak remains unbroken. That fateful evening at Hampden represented merely Luis de la Fuente's second as Spain's head coach; numerous observers thought it could prove to be his last match in charge. Although a pair of Scott McTominay goals defeating La Furia Roja, while virtually everyone anticipated his spell would be brief, the coach talked about a route emerging - and interestingly, the man once accused of living in Disneyland turned out correct.

Three years and four days, Spain advanced extremely close of global football participation, while simultaneously racking up their 29th straight competitive game unbeaten, equaling the legendary record.

Midfield Masterclass and Merino's Impact

On a night when the Barcelona midfielder featured and Mikel Merino created the difference, Spain defeated Bulgaria 4-0 to accumulate 12 points from 12 in World Cup qualification, edging closer. The Gunners' midfielder and sometime striker netted the opening two goals and might have earned his second consecutive three-goal haul in three Spain appearances but when fouled in the closing minute, he selflessly passed the spot-kick to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Thus it was La Real striker, goal-getter of the winning goal in the European Championship final, who continued 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 correctly so. Although FIFA may not count it as a defeat, during this impressive run Spain actually suffer defeat once – 7-5 on penalties to Portugal in the continental tournament final back in June. Yet formally at least, this present team has matched that historic squad 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 advanced to a Nations League final in 2025; they head toward 2026 sitting number one, among the favorites once more, just like old times.

Complete Domination

This was "only" against Bulgaria, admittedly, just as previous matches against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four wins from four, combined score 15-0. There were two instances immediately after La Selección scored their opening goals – the third strike being an self-inflicted – but ultimately their opponents had not been allowed a solitary shot on target.

Overall count read: thirty-three to three, Spain clearly being Spain. Bulgaria's coach had confessed 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 represented Spain's eighteenth attempt on target by that point.

Midfield Brilliance

The display was about all of them, but at the core of it was Pedri, everywhere and elusive simultaneously: everywhere for Spain, absent for Bulgaria, unable to detect him as he darted through their defense. He executed one hundred and one passes by the time he was substituted to a standing ovation on 66 minutes, and his were the instances of utmost subtlety, the finest touches and the sharpest as well.

When the José Zorrilla chanted his name midway the opening period, he had just drifted unnoticed into the penalty box again, 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 another back from which Baena was denied.

Continued Pressure

An cleverly weighted pass had set Samu Aghehowa up for what ought to have been the first goal, and a precise lay-off saw Oyarzabal scuff his shot. He got a chance of his own only to be unable to find a proper connection, striking wide.

But then, shortly after, he delivered another 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 looked like they had run out of spray paint half way 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 first time Bulgaria advanced into Spain's half they might have leveled the score, Kiril Despodov suddenly breaking away and striking the outside of the net.

Introduced for Aghehowa at the half-time, Borja Iglesias had multiple chances in as many minutes before Merino did it once more. The cross from the left was excellent from Álex Grimaldo and there, leaping above everyone, was Merino to power the header downward and dash off to celebrate around the corner flag.

Closing Stages

As they had after the first goal, Bulgaria survived once more, Despodov sent through and putting his and their second shot wide and nevertheless the initial instance the visitors had a shot on target it was at the incorrect goal, Atanas Chernev turning into his own net. Yet it was not quite finished, Merino kicked in the legs and allowing to let Oyarzabal smash in the ninety-ninth goal of De la Fuente's ongoing tenure.