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It all began in Scotland and this impressive streak remains unbroken. That fateful evening at Hampden marked merely Luis de la Fuente's second as Spain's manager; numerous observers thought it could prove to be his final assignment. Although a pair of Scott McTominay goals overcoming La Furia Roja, whereas almost all spectators expected his tenure would be brief, the coach spoke about a route emerging - and interestingly, the man once accused of living in Disneyland proved right.

36 months and four days, Spain advanced to within touching distance of global football participation, while simultaneously achieving their 29th straight official game unbeaten, matching the historic record.

Midfield Masterclass and Merino's Impact

During an evening when the Barcelona midfielder featured and Mikel Merino made the difference, Spain overcame Bulgaria four-nil to secure a perfect dozen from 12 in qualifying, nearing advancement. The Arsenal playmaker and sometime striker scored the opening two goals and might have earned his second three-goal haul in three recent Spain appearances but when fouled in the closing minute, he selflessly passed the penalty to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Therefore it was the Real Sociedad attacker, goal-getter of the winning goal in the European Championship showpiece, who continued the remarkable sequence, equaling what Vicente del Bosque's golden generation achieved between 2010 and 2013.

Record Equaled

Currently, you might have observed the symbol, and correctly so. While FIFA may 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 officially at least, this current team has matched that legendary team against which all Spanish national teams are measured.

Win in Georgia in thirty days and the achievement will be exclusively theirs. 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 number one, among the favorites once more, just like previous eras.

Complete Domination

This was "only" against Bulgaria, admittedly, just as previous encounters against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four victories from four outings, aggregate score fifteen-zero. Occurred two instances immediately after the Spanish team obtained their first two goals – the third strike being an self-inflicted – but ultimately their rivals had not been allowed a single shot on target.

Overall count showed: thirty-three to three, Spain demonstrably 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 defensive effort lasted 33 minutes, and Merino's header constituted Spain's 18th attempt on target by that point.

Midfield Brilliance

This performance was about the entire team, but at the heart of it was Pedri, everywhere and nowhere simultaneously: everywhere for Spain, nowhere for Bulgaria, unable to detect him as he darted through their lines. He completed 101 passes by the time he was withdrawn to a standing ovation on 66 minutes, and his were the moments of utmost subtlety, the most exquisite touches and the sharpest as well.

When the Valladolid stadium sang his name midway the first half, he had just slipped unmarked into the area again, chipping his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the woodwork, but it was not just that. He had already lifted a magnificent pass into Álex Baena to strike wide and pulled another pass from which Baena was denied.

Continued Pressure

An cleverly weighted delivery had set Samu Aghehowa up for what should have been the first goal, and a neat pass saw Oyarzabal mishit his attempt. He received a opportunity of his own only to fail to find a proper connection, striking wide.

But then, almost immediately after, he delivered another ball in. This time Robin Le Normand nodded across and Merino headed in. Spain, who had 88% of the ball, now had the lead. The positioning chart appeared like they had exhausted supply of spray paint midway through and a little later Aghehowa could have made it two-nil.

Momentary Threat

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

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

Closing Stages

Similar to their reaction after the opener, Bulgaria survived once more, 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 team's goal. Yet it was not completely finished, Merino kicked in the shins and allowing to let Oyarzabal smash in the ninety-ninth goal of De la Fuente's ongoing reign.