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It all commenced in Scottish soil and this impressive streak remains unbroken. That fateful evening at Hampden marked merely Luis de la Fuente's second as Spain's manager; many believed it could prove to be his last match in charge. Despite two Scott McTominay goals defeating La Furia Roja, while virtually everyone anticipated his spell would be brief, De la Fuente talked about a route opening - and interestingly, the man once accused of being unrealistic proved right.

36 months and later, Spain advanced extremely close of global football qualification, while simultaneously racking up their twenty-ninth consecutive official game unbeaten, equaling the historic record.

Pedri's Influence and Decisive Contribution

During an evening when Pedri played and Mikel Merino created the difference, Spain defeated Bulgaria 4-0 to accumulate 12 points from twelve in qualifying, nearing advancement. The Arsenal playmaker and sometime striker netted the first two goals and might have secured his second three-goal haul in three recent Spain matches but after fouled in the closing minute, he generously handed the penalty to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Thus it was the Real Sociedad striker, goal-getter of the decisive goal in the Euro 2024 final, who maintained the impressive sequence, matching what Vicente del Bosque's golden generation accomplished between 2010 and 2013.

Historic Achievement

Currently, readers may have noticed the symbol, and correctly so. Although FIFA may not classify it as a defeat, during this remarkable run Spain actually lose once – seven-five on penalties to Portugal in the continental tournament decider back in June. Yet formally at least, this present team has matched that historic team against which all Spanish national teams are measured.

Win in Georgia in a month and the record will be theirs alone. En route they won the Nations League in 2023, the European Championships in 2024 and reached a Nations League final in 2025; they head toward 2026 sitting number one, among the frontrunners once more, just like previous eras.

Complete Domination

This was "only" against Bulgaria, admittedly, similar to previous matches against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four victories from four outings, combined score 15-0. Occurred two moments immediately after the Spanish team scored their first two goals – the third strike being an self-inflicted – but eventually their opponents had not been allowed a solitary shot on target.

The total count showed: 33-3, Spain demonstrably playing as Spain. Bulgaria's coach had confessed the only objective his team could have was to hold out as long as they could. Ultimately, that resistance lasted thirty-three minutes, and Merino's header constituted Spain's 18th attempt on target already.

Midfield Brilliance

This performance was about all of them, but at the core of it was Pedri, everywhere and nowhere at once: everywhere for Spain, absent for Bulgaria, unable to track him as he flitted 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 finest touches and the most incisive as well.

When the Valladolid stadium sang his name midway the opening period, he had just slipped unmarked into the penalty box again, dinking his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the crossbar, but it was not just that. He had previously floated a magnificent pass into Álex Baena to strike wide and delivered another pass from which Baena was denied.

Continued Pressure

A disguised pass had created opportunity for Samu Aghehowa up for what should have been the first goal, and a precise lay-off saw Oyarzabal mishit his shot. He got a opportunity of his own only to fail to find a proper contact, striking wide.

But then, almost immediately after, he floated an additional ball in. This time Robin Le Normand headed across and Merino directed in. Spain, who had 88% of the possession, now 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.

Momentary Threat

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 abruptly sprinting away and hitting the outside of the net.

Introduced for Aghehowa at the break, Borja Iglesias had three chances in as many minutes before Merino scored again. The delivery from the left flank was superb from Álex Grimaldo and there, leaping above all defenders, was Merino to direct the header downward and dash off to do laps round the flagpost.

Final Moments

As they had after the opener, Bulgaria survived once more, Despodov played through and sending his and their second shot wide and yet the initial instance the visitors had a shot on target it was at the incorrect goal, Atanas Chernev turning into his own net. Still it was not quite finished, Merino kicked in the legs and allowing to let Oyarzabal smash in the 99th goal of De la Fuente's continuing tenure.