🔗 Share this article

Everything began in Scottish soil and the momentum continues. That memorable evening at Hampden marked only 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 almost all spectators anticipated his tenure would be short-lived, De la Fuente talked about a pathway emerging - and interestingly, the man previously criticized of living in Disneyland proved right.

36 months and four days, Spain moved extremely close of World Cup participation, and also achieving their twenty-ninth consecutive official game unbeaten, equaling the legendary record.

Midfield Masterclass and Decisive Contribution

During an evening when Pedri played and Mikel Merino created the decisive impact, Spain overcame Bulgaria 4-0 to secure a perfect dozen from 12 in qualifying, edging closer. The Arsenal midfielder and sometime forward netted the first two goals and could have secured his second hat-trick in three Spain matches but after fouled in the closing minute, he generously handed the penalty to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Thus it was La Real attacker, scorer of the decisive goal in the European Championship final, who maintained the remarkable sequence, equaling what Vicente del Bosque's golden generation accomplished between 2010 and 2013.

Historic Achievement

Currently, readers may have noticed the symbol, and rightly so. While FIFA might not count it as a loss, during this remarkable run Spain did suffer defeat 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 sides are compared.

Win in Georgia in thirty days and the record will be theirs alone. Along the way they captured the Nations League in 2023, the European Championships in 2024 and advanced to a Nations League final in 2025; they approach 2026 ranked number one, among the favorites once more, reminiscent of previous eras.

Total Control

The match represented "only" versus Bulgaria, admittedly, just as previous encounters against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four wins from four, combined score 15-0. Occurred two moments immediately after the Spanish team scored their opening goals – the third being an self-inflicted – but eventually their opponents had not been permitted a single shot on target.

Overall count read: 33-3, Spain clearly playing as Spain. Bulgaria's coach had admitted the only objective his team could have was to resist as long as possible. As it turned out, that defensive effort lasted thirty-three minutes, and Merino's header constituted Spain's 18th attempt on target already.

Pedri's Masterclass

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 lines. He completed one hundred and one passes by the time he was substituted to a rapturous applause on 66 minutes, and his were the instances of utmost subtlety, the finest 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 once more, chipping his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the crossbar, but it was not only that. He had previously lifted a gorgeous pass into Álex Baena to volley wide and pulled an additional pass from which Baena was blocked.

Continued Pressure

A disguised pass had set Samu Aghehowa up for what should have been the first goal, and a neat lay-off saw Oyarzabal scuff his shot. He got a chance 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 88% of the possession, now had the lead. The heat map looked like they had run out of marking paint half way through and a moment later Aghehowa might have made it two.

Brief Resistance

But then in part it's the unpredictability, even the unfairness, that makes football great. And the first time Bulgaria got into Spain's territory they could have leveled the score, Kiril Despodov suddenly sprinting away and hitting the outside of the net.

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 superb from Álex Grimaldo and there, jumping above all defenders, was Merino to power the header downward and dash off to celebrate round the flagpost.

Closing Stages

Similar to their reaction after the first goal, Bulgaria survived again, Despodov played through and sending his and their second shot wide and nevertheless the first time the away team had a shot on target it was at the wrong end, Atanas Chernev deflecting into his own net. Yet it was not quite done, Merino fouled in the legs and stepping aside to let Oyarzabal smash in the ninety-ninth goal of De la Fuente's continuing reign.