🔗 Share this article

It all started in Scotland and the momentum continues. That memorable evening at Hampden represented merely Luis de la Fuente's second as Spain's head coach; numerous observers thought it might turn out to be his last match in charge. Despite a pair of Scott McTominay goals overcoming La Furia Roja, while almost all spectators anticipated his spell would be short-lived, De la Fuente talked about a pathway opening - and remarkably, the manager previously criticized of being unrealistic proved right.

36 months and later, Spain moved to within touching distance of World Cup participation, while simultaneously racking up their twenty-ninth straight competitive game unbeaten, matching the historic record.

Midfield Masterclass and Merino's Impact

During an evening when Pedri featured and Mikel Merino made the decisive impact, Spain defeated Bulgaria 4-0 to secure 12 points from twelve in qualifying, nearing advancement. The Arsenal midfielder and sometime striker scored the opening two goals and might have earned his second hat-trick in three Spain appearances but after fouled in the closing minute, he generously handed the spot-kick to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Thus it was the Real Sociedad striker, goal-getter of the decisive goal in the Euro 2024 final, who continued the remarkable sequence, matching what Vicente del Bosque's legendary squad achieved between 2010 and 2013.

Record Equaled

Currently, you might have noticed the symbol, and rightly so. Although FIFA may not count it as a defeat, during this remarkable run Spain actually lose once – seven-five on penalties to Portugal in the Nations League final back in June. Yet officially at least, this current team has equaled that historic squad against which all Spanish national teams are compared.

Win in Georgia in thirty days and the achievement will be exclusively theirs. 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 ranked No. 1, among the favorites once more, just like previous eras.

Complete Domination

The match represented "only" versus Bulgaria, admittedly, similar to previous encounters against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four victories from four outings, aggregate score 15-0. Occurred two instances immediately after La Selección scored their first two goals – the third strike being an own goal – but eventually their opponents 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 admitted the sole objective his team could have was to resist as long as they could. Ultimately, that resistance lasted thirty-three minutes, and Merino's header constituted Spain's 18th attempt on target by that point.

Pedri's Masterclass

The display was about all of them, but at the core of it was Pedri, ubiquitous and nowhere at once: everywhere 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 withdrawn to a rapturous applause on the sixty-sixth minute, and his were the instances of utmost subtlety, the finest touches and the most incisive as well.

When the Valladolid stadium sang his name midway the first half, he had just drifted unmarked into the penalty box again, chipping his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the crossbar, but it was not only that. He had previously lifted a magnificent pass into Álex Baena to volley wide and delivered another back from which Baena was denied.

Continued Pressure

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 mishit his attempt. He received a opportunity of his own only to be unable 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 directed in. Spain, who had eighty-eight percent of the possession, then had the lead. The heat map appeared like they had run out of spray paint half way through and a little later Aghehowa could have made it two-nil.

Momentary Threat

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

Brought on for Aghehowa at the break, Borja Iglesias had three chances in as many minutes before Merino scored again. The cross from the left flank was superb from Álex Grimaldo and there, leaping above everyone, was Merino to power the header downward and sprint to do laps round the corner flag.

Closing Stages

As they had after the opener, Bulgaria survived again, Despodov played through and sending 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 turning into his own net. 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.