🔗 Share this article

It all commenced in Scottish soil and the momentum remains unbroken. That memorable evening at Hampden marked merely Luis de la Fuente's second as Spain's head coach; many believed it might prove to be his last assignment. Although a pair of Scott McTominay goals defeating La Furia Roja, whereas almost all spectators expected his tenure would be short-lived, the coach spoke about a pathway opening - and interestingly, the manager previously criticized of being unrealistic proved right.

Three years and four days, Spain advanced extremely close of World Cup qualification, and also achieving their 29th straight official game without defeat, equaling the historic record.

Pedri's Influence and Decisive Contribution

During an evening when the Barcelona midfielder featured and Mikel Merino created the decisive impact, Spain defeated Bulgaria four-nil to secure a perfect dozen from 12 in qualifying, edging closer. The Arsenal midfielder and sometime striker scored the first two goals and might have earned his second three-goal haul in three recent Spain appearances but when brought down in the final minute, he selflessly passed the penalty to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Therefore it was the Real Sociedad attacker, scorer of the winning goal in the Euro 2024 final, who continued the impressive sequence, equaling what Vicente del Bosque's legendary squad accomplished between 2010 and 2013.

Historic Achievement

Currently, readers may have observed the symbol, and correctly 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 continental tournament decider back in June. Yet formally at least, this present team has matched that historic team against which all Spanish national teams are measured.

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 head toward 2026 ranked number one, among the favorites once more, just like previous eras.

Complete Domination

The match represented "only" versus Bulgaria, admittedly, similar to previous matches against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four victories from four outings, combined score 15-0. There were two instances immediately after La Selección scored their first two goals – the third being an self-inflicted – but eventually their rivals had not been permitted a single shot on target.

The total statistics read: thirty-three to three, Spain clearly being Spain. Bulgaria's coach had admitted the sole objective his team could have was to resist as long as possible. Ultimately, that defensive effort lasted thirty-three minutes, and Merino's header constituted Spain's eighteenth attempt on target already.

Pedri's Masterclass

The display was about all of them, but at the heart of it was Pedri, ubiquitous and elusive simultaneously: everywhere for Spain, absent for Bulgaria, incapable to track him as he flitted through their defense. He executed 101 passes by the time he was substituted to a rapturous applause on 66 minutes, and his were the moments of greatest subtlety, the finest touches and the most incisive as well.

When the Valladolid stadium sang his name midway the opening period, he had just drifted unmarked into the area 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 pulled an additional back from which Baena was blocked.

Continued Pressure

An cleverly weighted delivery had set Samu Aghehowa up for what ought to have been the opener, and a precise lay-off saw Oyarzabal scuff his attempt. He received a chance of his own only to fail to find a proper contact, striking wide.

But then, almost immediately after, he delivered an additional ball in. This time Robin Le Normand headed across and Merino headed in. Spain, who had 88% of the ball, now had the advantage. The heat map appeared like they had run out of spray paint midway through and a little later Aghehowa might have made it two.

Brief Resistance

But then in part it's the unpredictability, even the injustice, that makes football special. And the first time Bulgaria advanced into Spain's half they might 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 opportunities in as many minutes before Merino did it again. The delivery from the left was excellent from Álex Grimaldo and there, jumping above everyone, was Merino to direct the header down and sprint to celebrate round the corner flag.

Final Moments

Similar to their reaction after the opener, Bulgaria escaped again, Despodov sent through and sending his and their following shot wide and yet the initial instance the visitors had a shot on target it was at the incorrect goal, Atanas Chernev deflecting into his own net. Yet it was not completely done, Merino fouled in the shins and allowing to let Oyarzabal blast in the ninety-ninth goal of De la Fuente's continuing reign.