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It all began in Scottish soil and the momentum remains unbroken. That fateful night at Hampden marked only Luis de la Fuente's second as Spain's manager; many believed it could turn out to be his final assignment. Although a pair of Scott McTominay goals defeating La Furia Roja, whereas almost all spectators expected his spell would be short-lived, De la Fuente spoke about a pathway opening - and remarkably, the man once accused of being unrealistic turned out correct.

Three years and later, Spain moved extremely close of global football qualification, while simultaneously achieving their 29th consecutive competitive game without defeat, matching the historic record.

Midfield Masterclass and Merino's Impact

During an evening when the Barcelona midfielder played and Mikel Merino created the decisive impact, Spain overcame Bulgaria four-nil to accumulate a perfect dozen from 12 in World Cup qualification, nearing advancement. The Arsenal playmaker and occasional forward scored the opening two goals and might have earned his second hat-trick in three recent Spain matches but after brought down in the closing minute, he selflessly passed the spot-kick to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Thus it was the Real Sociedad striker, scorer 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

Currently, you might have observed the asterisk, and rightly so. Although FIFA might not classify it as a defeat, during this impressive run Spain actually lose once – seven-five on penalties to Portugal in the Nations League decider back in June. Yet officially at least, this current team has equaled that legendary squad against which all Spanish national teams are measured.

Win in Georgia in a month and the achievement will be exclusively theirs. En route they captured the Nations League in 2023, the European Championships in 2024 and reached a Nations League final in 2025; they approach 2026 sitting number one, among the frontrunners once more, reminiscent of old times.

Complete Domination

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 moments immediately after the Spanish team scored their first two goals – the third being an own goal – but ultimately their opponents had not been permitted a single shot on target.

The total count read: thirty-three to three, Spain clearly being Spain. Bulgaria's coach had admitted the only objective his team could have was to hold out as long as possible. As it turned out, that resistance lasted thirty-three minutes, and Merino's header represented Spain's eighteenth attempt on target already.

Midfield Brilliance

This performance was about all of them, but at the core of it was Pedri, everywhere and elusive simultaneously: present for Spain, absent for Bulgaria, unable to track him as he flitted through their defense. He completed one hundred and one passes by the time he was substituted to a standing ovation on 66 minutes, and his were the instances of utmost subtlety, the finest touches and the sharpest too.

When the José Zorrilla sang his name midway the first half, he had just drifted unmarked into the penalty box again, dinking his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the crossbar, but it was not only that. He had previously floated a gorgeous pass into Álex Baena to strike wide and pulled another pass from which Baena was denied.

Sustained Attack

An cleverly weighted pass had set Samu Aghehowa up for what should have been the opener, and a neat lay-off saw Oyarzabal mishit his attempt. He received a opportunity of his own only to be unable to find a clean connection, volleying wide.

But then, almost immediately after, he delivered another ball in. This time Robin Le Normand headed across and Merino directed in. Spain, who had eighty-eight percent of the possession, then had the advantage. The positioning chart looked like they had run out of spray paint midway through and a little later Aghehowa could have made it two.

Brief Resistance

But then in part it's the uncertainty, even the injustice, that makes football great. And the first time Bulgaria advanced into Spain's half they could have leveled the score, Kiril Despodov abruptly breaking away and hitting the outside of the net.

Introduced for Aghehowa at the half-time, Borja Iglesias had three chances in as many minutes before Merino scored again. The cross from the left was superb from Álex Grimaldo and there, jumping above all defenders, was Merino to power the header down and dash off to do laps around the flagpost.

Closing Stages

Similar to their reaction after the opener, Bulgaria escaped once more, Despodov played through and sending his and their second shot wide and yet the first time the visitors had a shot on target it was at the wrong end, Atanas Chernev turning into his team's goal. Yet it was not completely finished, Merino kicked in the legs and stepping aside to let Oyarzabal smash in the ninety-ninth goal of De la Fuente's ongoing reign.