🔗 Share this article

It all started in Scottish soil and the momentum persists. That fateful night at Hampden marked only Luis de la Fuente's second outing as Spain's manager; numerous observers thought it might prove to be his last assignment. Despite a pair of Scott McTominay goals defeating the Spanish national team, while virtually everyone anticipated his tenure would be brief, De la Fuente talked about a pathway opening - and remarkably, the manager previously criticized of being unrealistic proved right.

Three years and four days, Spain moved extremely close of global football participation, while simultaneously racking up their twenty-ninth consecutive official game without defeat, matching the legendary record.

Midfield Masterclass and Decisive Contribution

During an evening when the Barcelona midfielder featured and Mikel Merino made the decisive impact, Spain defeated Bulgaria 4-0 to secure a perfect dozen from twelve in qualifying, nearing advancement. The Arsenal midfielder and occasional striker netted the first two goals and might have secured his second hat-trick in three Spain appearances but when brought down in the final 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 European Championship final, who continued the impressive sequence, matching what Vicente del Bosque's legendary squad achieved between 2010 and 2013.

Record Equaled

Now, you might have noticed the symbol, and correctly so. Although FIFA may not classify it as a defeat, during this impressive run Spain did suffer defeat once – seven-five on penalties to Portugal in the Nations League decider back in June. Yet officially at least, this present team has matched that historic squad against which all Spanish sides are compared.

Win in Georgia in a month and the record 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 No. 1, among the frontrunners once more, reminiscent of old times.

Total Control

The match represented "only" against 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 the Spanish team scored their first two goals – the third being an self-inflicted – but eventually their opponents had not been allowed a solitary shot on target.

The total statistics showed: 33-3, Spain clearly being Spain. Bulgaria's coach had admitted the sole objective his team could have was to resist as long as possible. As it turned out, that resistance lasted thirty-three minutes, and Merino's header constituted Spain's eighteenth attempt on target already.

Midfield Brilliance

This performance was about all of them, but at the core of it was Pedri, everywhere and elusive simultaneously: everywhere for Spain, nowhere for Bulgaria, unable to detect him as he darted through their defense. He completed one hundred and one passes by the time he was withdrawn to a standing ovation on 66 minutes, and his were the instances of greatest subtlety, the finest touches and the sharpest as well.

When the Valladolid stadium sang his name midway the opening period, he had just drifted unnoticed into the area once more, dinking his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the woodwork, but it was not only that. He had previously lifted a gorgeous pass into Álex Baena to volley wide and delivered another back from which Baena was denied.

Continued Pressure

A disguised delivery had set Samu Aghehowa up for what should have been the opener, and a precise pass saw Oyarzabal mishit his shot. He received a chance of his own only to be unable to find a clean connection, volleying wide.

But then, almost immediately after, he floated another 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 lead. The heat map appeared like they had exhausted supply of marking paint midway through and a moment later Aghehowa could have made it two.

Momentary Threat

But then in part it's the uncertainty, even the injustice, that makes football great. And the initial occasion Bulgaria advanced into Spain's territory they could 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 three opportunities in as many minutes before Merino scored again. The cross from the left flank was superb from Álex Grimaldo and there, jumping above all defenders, was Merino to direct the header downward and sprint to celebrate around the corner flag.

Final Moments

As they had after the first goal, Bulgaria survived once more, Despodov sent through and sending his and their following shot wide and yet the initial instance the away team had a shot on target it was at the incorrect goal, Atanas Chernev turning into his own net. Yet it was not quite done, Merino fouled in the shins and stepping aside to let Oyarzabal smash in the ninety-ninth goal of De la Fuente's continuing reign.