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Everything began in Scotland and this impressive streak persists. That memorable night at Hampden represented only Luis de la Fuente's second as Spain's manager; numerous observers thought it might prove to be his last match in charge. Although two Scott McTominay goals overcoming La Furia Roja, while virtually everyone expected his tenure would be brief, De la Fuente spoke about a pathway opening - and interestingly, the man once accused of living in Disneyland turned out correct.

36 months and later, Spain moved extremely close of World Cup qualification, while simultaneously racking up their twenty-ninth consecutive official game unbeaten, matching the historic record.

Pedri's Influence and Decisive Contribution

On a night when Pedri featured and Mikel Merino created the difference, Spain defeated Bulgaria 4-0 to secure a perfect dozen from twelve in World Cup qualification, edging closer. The Arsenal playmaker and occasional striker scored the first two goals and might have earned his second three-goal haul in three Spain matches but when fouled in the closing minute, he selflessly passed the penalty to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Therefore it was the Real Sociedad attacker, scorer of the winning goal in the European Championship final, who maintained the remarkable sequence, matching what Vicente del Bosque's legendary squad achieved between 2010 and 2013.

Record Equaled

Now, readers may have observed the symbol, and rightly so. Although FIFA might not count it as a defeat, during this impressive run Spain actually suffer defeat once – seven-five on penalties to Portugal in the continental tournament final back in June. Yet formally at least, this current team has matched that legendary squad against which all Spanish sides are compared.

Win in Georgia in thirty days and the record 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 approach 2026 sitting number one, among the frontrunners once more, just like previous eras.

Complete Domination

This was "only" versus Bulgaria, it is true, just as previous matches against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four wins from four, aggregate score fifteen-zero. Occurred two moments immediately after the Spanish team scored their first two goals – the third being an self-inflicted – but ultimately their opponents had not been permitted a single shot on target.

Overall statistics showed: 33-3, Spain demonstrably being Spain. Bulgaria's coach had confessed the sole objective his team could have was to resist as long as possible. As it turned out, that resistance lasted 33 minutes, and Merino's header constituted Spain's eighteenth attempt on target already.

Pedri's Masterclass

This performance was about all of them, but at the core of it was Pedri, everywhere and nowhere at once: present for Spain, nowhere for Bulgaria, incapable to detect him as he flitted through their lines. He executed 101 passes by the time he was withdrawn to a rapturous applause on the sixty-sixth minute, and his were the moments of utmost subtlety, the finest touches and the most incisive too.

When the José Zorrilla sang his name during the first half, he had just drifted unnoticed into the area once more, dinking his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the woodwork, but it was not only that. He had previously floated a magnificent pass into Álex Baena to volley wide and delivered an additional 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 first goal, and a neat lay-off saw Oyarzabal mishit his shot. He got a chance of his own only to fail to find a proper contact, volleying wide.

But then, shortly after, he floated an additional ball in. This time Robin Le Normand headed across and Merino headed in. Spain, who had 88% of the possession, then had the advantage. The heat map appeared like they had run out of spray paint half way through and a moment later Aghehowa might have made it two-nil.

Momentary Threat

But then in part it's the uncertainty, even the injustice, that makes football special. And the first time Bulgaria advanced into Spain's half they might have equalized, Kiril Despodov suddenly breaking away and striking the side-netting.

Introduced for Aghehowa at the break, Borja Iglesias had multiple opportunities in as many minutes before Merino did it once more. The delivery from the left was excellent from Álex Grimaldo and there, leaping above everyone, was Merino to direct the header downward and dash off to celebrate round the flagpost.

Closing Stages

As they had after the first goal, Bulgaria escaped again, Despodov sent 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 incorrect goal, Atanas Chernev deflecting into his own net. Yet it was not quite finished, Merino fouled in the legs and allowing to let Oyarzabal blast in the 99th goal of De la Fuente's continuing reign.