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It all started in Scotland and this impressive streak continues. That memorable 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 defeating La Furia Roja, while virtually everyone anticipated his spell would be short-lived, De la Fuente talked about a pathway emerging - and remarkably, the man once accused of being unrealistic proved right.

36 months and later, Spain advanced extremely close of global football participation, and also achieving their twenty-ninth consecutive competitive game unbeaten, equaling the historic record.

Midfield Masterclass and Merino's Impact

On a night when the Barcelona midfielder featured and Mikel Merino created the decisive impact, Spain overcame Bulgaria four-nil to secure 12 points from twelve in qualifying, nearing advancement. The Gunners' playmaker and sometime striker netted the opening two goals and could have earned his second consecutive hat-trick in three Spain matches but when fouled in the final minute, he generously handed the penalty to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Thus it was La Real attacker, goal-getter of the decisive goal in the European Championship showpiece, who continued the remarkable sequence, matching what Vicente del Bosque's golden generation accomplished between 2010 and 2013.

Historic Achievement

Now, you might have observed the symbol, and rightly so. While FIFA might not classify it as a loss, during this remarkable run Spain actually suffer defeat once – seven-five on penalties to Portugal in the continental tournament final back in June. However formally at least, this present team has equaled that historic team against which all Spanish sides are compared.

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

Total Control

The match represented "only" versus Bulgaria, it is true, just as previous matches against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four wins from four outings, combined score fifteen-zero. Occurred two moments immediately after La Selección scored their first two goals – the third being an own goal – but eventually their rivals had not been allowed a single shot on target.

The total statistics showed: thirty-three to three, Spain demonstrably being Spain. Bulgaria's coach had confessed the only objective his team could have was to resist as long as they could. Ultimately, that defensive effort lasted 33 minutes, and Merino's header represented Spain's eighteenth attempt on target by that point.

Midfield Brilliance

The display was about the entire team, but at the heart of it was Pedri, everywhere and nowhere at once: everywhere for Spain, absent for Bulgaria, unable to track him as he darted through their defense. He completed one hundred and one passes by the time he was withdrawn to a rapturous applause on 66 minutes, and his were the moments of greatest subtlety, the finest touches and the sharpest too.

When the Valladolid stadium sang his name during the opening period, he had just slipped unnoticed into the penalty box again, chipping his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the crossbar, but it was not only that. He had already lifted a magnificent pass into Álex Baena to strike wide and delivered another pass from which Baena was blocked.

Continued Pressure

A disguised pass had created opportunity for Samu Aghehowa up for what ought to have been the opener, and a precise pass saw Oyarzabal mishit his shot. He received a opportunity of his own only to fail to find a proper connection, striking wide.

But then, shortly after, he delivered another ball in. This time Robin Le Normand headed across and Merino headed in. Spain, who had 88% of the ball, then had the lead. The positioning chart looked like they had exhausted supply 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 great. And the initial occasion Bulgaria advanced into Spain's territory they could have equalized, Kiril Despodov suddenly breaking away and hitting the side-netting.

Brought on for Aghehowa at the half-time, Borja Iglesias had multiple opportunities in as many minutes before Merino scored once more. The cross from the left was excellent from Álex Grimaldo and there, leaping above all defenders, was Merino to power the header downward and sprint to celebrate around the flagpost.

Final Moments

Similar to their reaction after the first goal, Bulgaria escaped again, Despodov played 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 team's goal. Still it was not quite done, Merino fouled in the shins and allowing to let Oyarzabal blast in the 99th goal of De la Fuente's ongoing tenure.