🔗 Share this article

It all started in Scottish soil and this impressive streak continues. That fateful night at Hampden marked only Luis de la Fuente's second as Spain's head coach; numerous observers thought it might turn out to be his final assignment. Despite two Scott McTominay goals overcoming the Spanish national team, whereas virtually everyone expected his tenure would be brief, the coach spoke about a pathway emerging - and interestingly, the man once accused of being unrealistic proved right.

36 months and four days, Spain advanced to within touching distance of global football qualification, while simultaneously achieving their twenty-ninth consecutive official game unbeaten, equaling the legendary record.

Pedri's Influence and Merino's Impact

On a night when the Barcelona midfielder featured and Mikel Merino created the difference, Spain defeated Bulgaria 4-0 to secure 12 points from 12 in World Cup qualification, edging closer. The Gunners' playmaker and sometime forward scored the first two goals and might have earned his second consecutive hat-trick in three recent Spain matches but when fouled in the closing minute, he selflessly passed the spot-kick to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Thus it was the Real Sociedad attacker, goal-getter of the winning goal in the Euro 2024 final, who continued the impressive sequence, equaling what Vicente del Bosque's golden generation accomplished between 2010 and 2013.

Record Equaled

Now, readers may have noticed the symbol, and rightly so. While FIFA may not classify it as a loss, during this impressive run Spain did lose once – seven-five on penalties to Portugal in the Nations League final back in June. However officially at least, this present team has equaled that historic squad against which all Spanish national teams are measured.

Win in Georgia in thirty days and the achievement will be theirs alone. 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 approach 2026 sitting number one, among the favorites once more, just like previous eras.

Complete Domination

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

Overall statistics read: thirty-three to three, Spain demonstrably playing as Spain. Bulgaria's coach had confessed the sole objective his team could have was to hold out as long as possible. Ultimately, that resistance lasted 33 minutes, and Merino's header constituted Spain's 18th attempt on target already.

Midfield Brilliance

The display was about the entire team, but at the core of it was Pedri, everywhere and elusive at once: present for Spain, absent for Bulgaria, incapable to track him as he darted through their lines. He completed one hundred and one passes by the time he was withdrawn to a rapturous applause on the sixty-sixth minute, and his were the instances of utmost subtlety, the most exquisite touches and the most incisive as well.

When the José Zorrilla chanted his name during the first half, he had just slipped unnoticed into the penalty box once more, chipping his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the woodwork, but it was not only that. He had previously lifted a magnificent pass into Álex Baena to volley wide and delivered another pass from which Baena was blocked.

Sustained Attack

An cleverly weighted delivery had set Samu Aghehowa up for what ought to have been the first goal, and a precise pass saw Oyarzabal mishit his attempt. He got 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 headed in. Spain, who had 88% of the possession, then had the lead. The heat map looked like they had run out of marking paint half way through and a moment later Aghehowa could have made it two-nil.

Momentary Threat

But then in part it's the unpredictability, even the injustice, that makes football great. And the first time Bulgaria got into Spain's half they might have leveled the score, Kiril Despodov suddenly sprinting away and hitting the side-netting.

Introduced for Aghehowa at the break, Borja Iglesias had three opportunities in as many minutes before Merino scored again. The delivery from the left flank was excellent from Álex Grimaldo and there, leaping above all defenders, was Merino to direct the header down and sprint to celebrate around the flagpost.

Final Moments

As they had after the first goal, Bulgaria escaped once more, Despodov played through and putting his and their following 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 team's goal. Yet it was not quite done, Merino fouled in the shins and stepping aside to let Oyarzabal blast in the ninety-ninth goal of De la Fuente's continuing reign.