🔗 Share this article

It all commenced in Scotland and this impressive streak continues. That fateful night at Hampden marked only Luis de la Fuente's second outing as Spain's head coach; many believed it could prove to be his last match in charge. Despite a pair of Scott McTominay goals overcoming the Spanish national team, whereas virtually everyone expected his tenure would be brief, De la Fuente spoke about a pathway opening - and remarkably, the manager previously criticized of being unrealistic turned out right.

Three years and four days, Spain moved to within touching distance of World Cup qualification, and also achieving their 29th consecutive competitive game unbeaten, matching the legendary record.

Pedri's Influence and Merino's Impact

During an evening when Pedri played and Mikel Merino created the decisive impact, Spain overcame Bulgaria 4-0 to secure 12 points from twelve in World Cup qualification, nearing advancement. The Gunners' playmaker and occasional forward scored the opening two goals and might have secured his second three-goal haul in three recent Spain appearances but when fouled in the closing minute, he selflessly passed the spot-kick to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Therefore it was La Real attacker, goal-getter of the winning goal in the Euro 2024 final, who maintained the remarkable sequence, matching what Vicente del Bosque's golden generation achieved between 2010 and 2013.

Historic Achievement

Now, you might have observed the asterisk, and correctly so. Although FIFA might not count it as a defeat, during this remarkable run Spain actually lose once – seven-five on penalties to Portugal in the continental tournament final back in June. However formally at least, this present team has matched 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 reached a Nations League final in 2025; they head toward 2026 sitting number one, among the frontrunners once more, reminiscent of previous eras.

Total Control

The match represented "only" versus Bulgaria, it is true, similar to previous matches against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four victories from four outings, combined score fifteen-zero. There were two instances immediately after La Selección obtained their first two goals – the third being an own goal – but ultimately their opponents had not been allowed a single shot on target.

The total statistics read: 33-3, Spain demonstrably playing as Spain. Bulgaria's coach had admitted the sole objective his team could have was to resist as long as they could. As it turned out, that defensive effort lasted thirty-three minutes, and Merino's header represented Spain's 18th attempt on target by that point.

Pedri's Masterclass

The display was about all of them, but at the heart of it was Pedri, everywhere and elusive at once: present for Spain, absent for Bulgaria, unable to detect him as he darted through their lines. He executed 101 passes by the time he was substituted to a standing ovation on the sixty-sixth minute, and his were the instances of utmost subtlety, the most exquisite touches and the sharpest too.

When the Valladolid stadium sang his name midway the opening period, he had just slipped unmarked into the penalty box again, chipping his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the woodwork, but it was not just that. He had already floated a gorgeous pass into Álex Baena to volley wide and delivered another back from which Baena was denied.

Continued Pressure

A disguised pass had set Samu Aghehowa up for what ought to have been the first goal, and a neat lay-off saw Oyarzabal mishit his shot. He received a opportunity of his own only to be unable to find a clean contact, striking wide.

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

Brief Resistance

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

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 superb from Álex Grimaldo and there, leaping above all defenders, was Merino to direct the header down and dash off to celebrate round the flagpost.

Closing Stages

Similar to their reaction after the first goal, Bulgaria escaped once more, Despodov played through and putting his and their following shot wide and nevertheless the initial instance the away team had a shot on target it was at the wrong end, Atanas Chernev deflecting into his team's goal. Yet it was not completely done, Merino kicked in the legs and stepping aside to let Oyarzabal smash in the 99th goal of De la Fuente's ongoing reign.