🔗 Share this article

It all began in Scottish soil and this impressive streak continues. That fateful night at Hampden marked merely Luis de la Fuente's second outing as Spain's head coach; many believed it could turn out to be his last match in charge. Despite two Scott McTominay goals defeating La Furia Roja, while virtually everyone anticipated his tenure would be short-lived, De la Fuente spoke about a route emerging - and remarkably, the man previously criticized of being unrealistic turned out correct.

36 months and later, Spain advanced extremely close of global football qualification, while simultaneously racking up their twenty-ninth straight official game without defeat, equaling the historic record.

Midfield Masterclass and Decisive Contribution

During an evening when Pedri played and Mikel Merino created the decisive impact, Spain defeated Bulgaria 4-0 to accumulate 12 points from twelve in qualifying, edging closer. The Arsenal midfielder and sometime 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 generously handed the penalty to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Thus it was La Real striker, goal-getter of the winning goal in the European Championship final, who continued the impressive sequence, equaling what Vicente del Bosque's golden generation achieved between 2010 and 2013.

Historic Achievement

Now, you might have noticed the asterisk, and rightly so. While FIFA might not classify it as a defeat, during this impressive run Spain actually lose once – 7-5 on penalties to Portugal in the Nations League final back in June. However formally at least, this present team has matched that legendary team 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 reached a Nations League final in 2025; they approach 2026 sitting No. 1, among the favorites once more, just like old times.

Total Control

The match represented "only" against Bulgaria, it is true, similar to previous matches against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four victories from four, aggregate score 15-0. Occurred two instances immediately after the Spanish team obtained their opening goals – the third strike being an own goal – but ultimately their opponents had not been permitted a single shot on target.

Overall count showed: 33-3, Spain demonstrably playing as Spain. Bulgaria's coach had confessed the only objective his team could have was to resist as long as they could. Ultimately, that defensive effort lasted thirty-three minutes, and Merino's header represented Spain's 18th attempt on target already.

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 flitted through their defense. He executed one hundred and one 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 as well.

When the Valladolid stadium chanted his name during the opening period, he had just slipped unnoticed into the penalty box once more, dinking 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 strike wide and delivered another pass from which Baena was denied.

Sustained Attack

An cleverly weighted 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 fail to find a clean connection, volleying wide.

But then, shortly after, he floated an additional ball in. This time Robin Le Normand nodded across and Merino headed in. Spain, who had eighty-eight percent of the ball, then had the advantage. The positioning chart looked like they had exhausted supply of marking paint midway through and a moment later Aghehowa might 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 advanced into Spain's territory they might have equalized, Kiril Despodov abruptly sprinting away and hitting the side-netting.

Brought on for Aghehowa at the half-time, Borja Iglesias had multiple chances in as many minutes before Merino did it again. The cross from the left flank was superb from Álex Grimaldo and there, jumping above everyone, was Merino to power the header downward and dash off to celebrate around the flagpost.

Final Moments

As they had after the first goal, Bulgaria escaped again, Despodov sent through and putting 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 turning into his team's goal. Still 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 tenure.