🔗 Share this article

It all began in Scottish soil and the momentum remains unbroken. That memorable evening at Hampden marked merely Luis de la Fuente's second as Spain's head coach; many believed it could prove to be his final assignment. Although a pair of Scott McTominay goals defeating La Furia Roja, whereas almost all spectators expected his tenure would be brief, the coach spoke about a pathway opening - and interestingly, the manager once accused of being unrealistic turned out right.

36 months and later, Spain advanced to within touching distance of World Cup qualification, while simultaneously racking up their twenty-ninth consecutive competitive game unbeaten, matching the legendary record.

Midfield Masterclass and Decisive Contribution

During an evening when Pedri featured and Mikel Merino created the difference, Spain overcame Bulgaria 4-0 to accumulate 12 points from 12 in qualifying, edging closer. The Gunners' playmaker and occasional striker scored the first two goals and could have earned his second hat-trick in three Spain appearances but when brought down in the closing minute, he generously handed the penalty to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Therefore it was La Real attacker, scorer of the winning goal in the European Championship showpiece, who continued the impressive sequence, equaling what Vicente del Bosque's legendary squad achieved between 2010 and 2013.

Record Equaled

Currently, you might have observed the asterisk, and correctly so. Although FIFA may not classify it as a defeat, during this remarkable run Spain did lose once – 7-5 on penalties to Portugal in the Nations League decider back in June. Yet formally at least, this present team has equaled that legendary team against which all Spanish sides are measured.

Win in Georgia in a month and the achievement will be exclusively theirs. Along the way they won the Nations League in 2023, the European Championships in 2024 and advanced to a Nations League final in 2025; they head toward 2026 ranked No. 1, among the frontrunners once more, just like old times.

Complete Domination

The match represented "only" against Bulgaria, admittedly, similar to previous encounters against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four wins from four outings, combined score fifteen-zero. Occurred two moments immediately after the Spanish team scored their opening goals – the third strike being an own goal – but ultimately their opponents had not been allowed a single shot on target.

Overall statistics showed: thirty-three to three, Spain clearly playing as Spain. Bulgaria's coach had admitted the only objective his team could have was to hold out as long as they could. As it turned out, that resistance lasted thirty-three minutes, and Merino's header represented Spain's eighteenth attempt on target by that point.

Midfield Brilliance

This performance was about all of them, but at the heart of it was Pedri, ubiquitous and nowhere at once: present for Spain, nowhere for Bulgaria, incapable to track him as he darted through their defense. He completed 101 passes by the time he was substituted to a standing ovation on the sixty-sixth minute, and his were the moments of greatest subtlety, the finest touches and the sharpest as well.

When the Valladolid stadium chanted his name midway the opening period, he had just slipped unnoticed into the penalty box again, chipping his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the woodwork, but it was not only that. He had previously floated a magnificent pass into Álex Baena to volley wide and pulled another pass 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 neat lay-off saw Oyarzabal scuff his attempt. He received a opportunity of his own only to be unable to find a proper contact, volleying wide.

But then, shortly 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 heat map looked like they had exhausted supply 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 injustice, that makes football special. And the initial occasion Bulgaria got into Spain's half they could have equalized, Kiril Despodov suddenly sprinting away and striking the side-netting.

Introduced for Aghehowa at the half-time, Borja Iglesias had multiple opportunities in as many minutes before Merino did it again. The delivery from the left was excellent from Álex Grimaldo and there, jumping above everyone, was Merino to direct the header downward and sprint to do laps around the corner flag.

Final Moments

Similar to their reaction after the opener, Bulgaria escaped once more, Despodov sent through and putting his and their following shot wide and yet the initial instance the away team had a shot on target it was at the wrong end, Atanas Chernev turning into his own net. Yet it was not completely done, Merino fouled in the shins and allowing to let Oyarzabal blast in the ninety-ninth goal of De la Fuente's ongoing tenure.