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Everything began in Scotland and this impressive streak continues. That fateful evening at Hampden represented merely Luis de la Fuente's second outing as Spain's manager; many believed it might prove to be his final match in charge. Although two Scott McTominay goals defeating La Furia Roja, while virtually everyone anticipated his tenure would be brief, De la Fuente spoke about a route opening - and interestingly, the man once accused of living in Disneyland turned out right.

Three years and four days, Spain moved extremely close of World Cup qualification, and also racking up their 29th consecutive official game without defeat, equaling the historic record.

Pedri's Influence and Decisive Contribution

On a night when the Barcelona midfielder featured and Mikel Merino made the decisive impact, Spain overcame Bulgaria 4-0 to accumulate a perfect dozen from 12 in World Cup qualification, edging closer. The Arsenal midfielder and sometime forward netted the first two goals and could have earned his second consecutive three-goal haul in three Spain matches but after brought down in the closing minute, he generously handed the penalty to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Therefore it was the Real Sociedad striker, goal-getter of the winning goal in the Euro 2024 showpiece, who continued the remarkable sequence, matching what Vicente del Bosque's golden generation accomplished between 2010 and 2013.

Historic Achievement

Currently, readers may have observed the symbol, and correctly so. While FIFA may not count it as a defeat, during this impressive run Spain actually lose once – 7-5 on penalties to Portugal in the continental tournament decider back in June. However formally at least, this current team has equaled that historic squad against which all Spanish national teams are compared.

Win in Georgia in a month and the record 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 ranked No. 1, among the frontrunners once more, reminiscent of previous eras.

Total Control

This was "only" versus Bulgaria, admittedly, just as previous encounters against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four wins from four, aggregate score fifteen-zero. Occurred two moments immediately after La Selección scored their opening goals – the third being an own goal – but eventually their opponents had not been permitted a single shot on target.

Overall statistics showed: 33-3, Spain demonstrably being Spain. Bulgaria's coach had admitted the only objective his team could have was to resist as long as they could. Ultimately, 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 all of them, but at the heart of it was Pedri, ubiquitous and nowhere simultaneously: present for Spain, nowhere for Bulgaria, incapable to detect him as he flitted through their lines. He completed one hundred and one passes by the time he was withdrawn to a standing ovation on 66 minutes, and his were the instances of greatest subtlety, the most exquisite touches and the most incisive as well.

When the Valladolid stadium chanted his name midway the first half, he had just slipped unnoticed into the penalty box again, chipping 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 pulled an additional back from which Baena was denied.

Sustained Attack

A disguised delivery had created opportunity for Samu Aghehowa up for what ought to have been the opener, and a neat pass saw Oyarzabal scuff his attempt. He got a chance of his own only to be unable to find a proper connection, volleying 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 ball, then had the lead. The heat map looked like they had run out of marking paint midway through and a moment later Aghehowa might have made it two.

Momentary Threat

But then in part it's the uncertainty, even the unfairness, that makes football special. And the initial occasion Bulgaria got into Spain's half they might have equalized, Kiril Despodov abruptly sprinting away and striking the outside of the net.

Introduced for Aghehowa at the half-time, Borja Iglesias had three chances in as many minutes before Merino scored once more. The cross from the left was excellent from Álex Grimaldo and there, leaping above everyone, was Merino to direct the header down and sprint to celebrate around the corner flag.

Closing Stages

As they had after the first goal, Bulgaria survived again, 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 incorrect goal, Atanas Chernev deflecting into his team's goal. Still it was not quite done, Merino fouled in the legs and allowing to let Oyarzabal blast in the 99th goal of De la Fuente's ongoing reign.