🔗 Share this article

Everything began in Scotland and the momentum remains unbroken. That memorable evening at Hampden marked merely Luis de la Fuente's second outing as Spain's head coach; numerous observers thought it might prove to be his final match in charge. Although two Scott McTominay goals defeating the Spanish national team, while virtually everyone expected his tenure would be brief, the coach spoke about a route emerging - and interestingly, the manager once accused of living in Disneyland proved correct.

Three years and four days, Spain moved to within touching distance of World Cup qualification, and also racking up their 29th consecutive competitive game unbeaten, matching the legendary record.

Midfield Masterclass and Merino's Impact

On a night when Pedri featured and Mikel Merino created the decisive impact, Spain defeated Bulgaria four-nil to accumulate a perfect dozen from twelve in qualifying, nearing advancement. The Arsenal playmaker and occasional striker netted the first two goals and could have secured his second consecutive three-goal haul in three Spain appearances but after brought down in the closing minute, he generously handed the spot-kick to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

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

Historic Achievement

Currently, you might have noticed the asterisk, and rightly so. Although FIFA might not count it as a defeat, during this remarkable run Spain did lose once – 7-5 on penalties to Portugal in the Nations League decider back in June. Yet formally at least, this current team has equaled that legendary team against which all Spanish national teams are compared.

Win in Georgia in thirty days and the record will be exclusively theirs. En route they won the Nations League in 2023, the European Championships in 2024 and reached a Nations League final in 2025; they approach 2026 ranked number one, among the favorites once more, reminiscent of previous eras.

Complete Domination

This was "only" against Bulgaria, admittedly, similar to previous matches against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four wins from four outings, combined score fifteen-zero. There were two moments immediately after the Spanish team obtained their first two goals – the third being an own goal – but eventually their rivals had not been permitted a solitary shot on target.

Overall count showed: 33-3, Spain demonstrably being Spain. Bulgaria's coach had admitted the sole objective his team could have was to hold out as long as possible. As it turned out, that defensive effort lasted 33 minutes, and Merino's header constituted Spain's eighteenth attempt on target already.

Pedri's Masterclass

This performance was about the entire team, but at the heart of it was Pedri, everywhere and elusive at once: everywhere 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 substituted to a standing ovation on the sixty-sixth minute, and his were the instances of utmost subtlety, the finest touches and the sharpest too.

When the Valladolid stadium chanted his name midway the first half, he had just drifted 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 floated a magnificent pass into Álex Baena to strike wide and pulled an additional pass from which Baena was blocked.

Sustained Attack

An cleverly weighted pass had set Samu Aghehowa up for what ought to have been the opener, and a precise lay-off saw Oyarzabal mishit his attempt. He got a chance of his own only to fail to find a clean contact, volleying wide.

But then, almost immediately after, he delivered an additional ball in. This time Robin Le Normand headed across and Merino directed in. Spain, who had 88% of the ball, then had the advantage. The positioning chart appeared like they had exhausted supply of marking paint half way through and a moment later Aghehowa might have made it two-nil.

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 territory they might have equalized, Kiril Despodov abruptly sprinting 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 once more. The delivery from the left was excellent from Álex Grimaldo and there, jumping above everyone, was Merino to power the header downward and dash off to do laps around the flagpost.

Closing Stages

Similar to their reaction after the opener, Bulgaria survived again, Despodov played through and sending his and their second shot wide and yet the first time the away team had a shot on target it was at the incorrect goal, Atanas Chernev turning into his own net. Still it was not quite done, Merino kicked in the shins and stepping aside to let Oyarzabal smash in the ninety-ninth goal of De la Fuente's continuing reign.