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It all began in Scotland and this impressive streak persists. That memorable night at Hampden marked 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. Despite a pair of Scott McTominay goals defeating the Spanish national team, while virtually everyone expected his tenure would be brief, De la Fuente talked about a route emerging - and remarkably, the manager once accused of being unrealistic turned out correct.

Three years and later, Spain advanced extremely close of global football participation, while simultaneously achieving their 29th consecutive competitive game unbeaten, equaling the legendary record.

Pedri's Influence and Decisive Contribution

During an evening when Pedri played and Mikel Merino made the decisive impact, Spain defeated Bulgaria 4-0 to secure 12 points from 12 in World Cup qualification, nearing advancement. The Arsenal playmaker and sometime striker scored the first two goals and might have secured his second hat-trick in three recent Spain appearances but after brought down in the closing minute, he selflessly passed the spot-kick to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Therefore it was the Real Sociedad striker, scorer of the decisive goal in the Euro 2024 final, who maintained the remarkable sequence, matching what Vicente del Bosque's legendary squad achieved between 2010 and 2013.

Historic Achievement

Currently, you might have observed the asterisk, and correctly so. Although FIFA may not classify it as a defeat, during this impressive run Spain did lose 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 legendary squad against which all Spanish sides are measured.

Win 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 reached a Nations League final in 2025; they head toward 2026 sitting number one, among the favorites once more, just like old times.

Total Control

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

The total statistics read: thirty-three to three, Spain demonstrably 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 resistance lasted 33 minutes, and Merino's header constituted Spain's eighteenth attempt on target by that point.

Pedri's Masterclass

This performance was about the entire team, but at the core of it was Pedri, ubiquitous and elusive at once: everywhere for Spain, absent for Bulgaria, incapable to detect him as he flitted through their lines. He executed 101 passes by the time he was substituted to a rapturous applause on the sixty-sixth minute, and his were the moments of greatest subtlety, the most exquisite touches and the most incisive as well.

When the José Zorrilla sang his name during the opening period, he had just drifted unmarked into the penalty box once more, dinking his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the woodwork, but it was not just that. He had already floated a gorgeous pass into Álex Baena to volley wide and pulled 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 first goal, and a precise lay-off saw Oyarzabal mishit his attempt. He got a opportunity of his own only to be unable to find a proper connection, striking wide.

But then, almost immediately after, he delivered an additional ball in. This time Robin Le Normand headed 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 marking paint midway through and a moment later Aghehowa could have made it two.

Momentary Threat

But then in part it's the unpredictability, even the unfairness, that makes football special. And the first time Bulgaria got into Spain's territory they might have leveled the score, Kiril Despodov abruptly sprinting away and hitting the side-netting.

Brought on for Aghehowa at the break, Borja Iglesias had multiple opportunities in as many minutes before Merino did it again. The delivery from the left flank was superb from Álex Grimaldo and there, leaping above all defenders, was Merino to direct the header down and dash off to do laps around the flagpost.

Closing Stages

As they had after the first goal, Bulgaria escaped once more, Despodov sent through and putting his and their second shot wide and yet the first time the away team had a shot on target it was at the incorrect goal, Atanas Chernev turning into his own net. Still it was not completely finished, Merino kicked in the legs and allowing to let Oyarzabal blast in the 99th goal of De la Fuente's continuing tenure.