🔗 Share this article

It all started in Scottish soil and this impressive streak persists. That memorable night at Hampden marked only Luis de la Fuente's second as Spain's manager; numerous observers thought it could prove to be his last assignment. Despite two Scott McTominay goals defeating La Furia Roja, whereas almost all spectators expected his spell would be brief, the coach talked about a route emerging - and remarkably, the man previously criticized of living in Disneyland turned out correct.

Three years and four days, Spain moved to within touching distance of global football qualification, while simultaneously achieving their 29th consecutive official game unbeaten, equaling the legendary record.

Pedri's Influence and Decisive Contribution

During an evening when the Barcelona midfielder featured and Mikel Merino made the difference, Spain overcame Bulgaria four-nil to accumulate a perfect dozen from twelve in World Cup qualification, nearing advancement. The Arsenal midfielder and sometime striker scored the opening two goals and might have secured his second consecutive hat-trick in three Spain matches but after fouled in the final minute, he selflessly passed the penalty to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Thus it was the Real Sociedad attacker, scorer of the decisive goal in the European Championship final, who continued the impressive sequence, equaling what Vicente del Bosque's golden generation achieved between 2010 and 2013.

Record Equaled

Currently, you might have observed the asterisk, and rightly so. Although FIFA might not count it as a loss, during this impressive run Spain actually lose once – seven-five on penalties to Portugal in the continental tournament final back in June. Yet officially at least, this present team has matched that legendary team against which all Spanish national teams are compared.

Victory in Georgia in a month and the record will be theirs alone. En route 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 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 wins from four outings, aggregate score fifteen-zero. There were two moments immediately after La Selección obtained their first two goals – the third strike being an own goal – but ultimately their rivals had not been permitted a single shot on target.

The total count read: 33-3, Spain demonstrably being Spain. Bulgaria's coach had admitted the only 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 represented Spain's 18th attempt on target already.

Pedri's Masterclass

This performance was about all of them, but at the core of it was Pedri, ubiquitous and elusive at once: present for Spain, absent for Bulgaria, incapable to track him as he darted through their defense. He completed 101 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 during the first half, he had just slipped unmarked into the penalty box again, chipping his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the woodwork, but it was not only that. He had previously floated a magnificent pass into Álex Baena to strike wide and pulled another back from which Baena was blocked.

Sustained Attack

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

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

Momentary Threat

But then in part it's the unpredictability, even the injustice, that makes football special. And the first time Bulgaria got into Spain's half they could have equalized, Kiril Despodov abruptly sprinting away and hitting the outside of the net.

Brought on for Aghehowa at the half-time, Borja Iglesias had multiple chances in as many minutes before Merino scored once more. The delivery from the left was excellent from Álex Grimaldo and there, leaping above everyone, was Merino to direct the header downward and dash off to do laps round the corner flag.

Final Moments

Similar to their reaction after the opener, Bulgaria survived once more, Despodov sent through and sending his and their following shot wide and nevertheless the first time the visitors had a shot on target it was at the wrong end, Atanas Chernev turning into his team's goal. Yet it was not quite done, Merino fouled in the shins and stepping aside to let Oyarzabal smash in the 99th goal of De la Fuente's ongoing tenure.