🔗 Share this article

Everything commenced in Scotland and this impressive streak remains unbroken. That fateful night at Hampden represented merely Luis de la Fuente's second as Spain's head coach; numerous observers thought it could prove to be his last match in charge. Despite a pair of Scott McTominay goals defeating La Furia Roja, whereas virtually everyone anticipated his tenure would be short-lived, the coach spoke about a pathway emerging - and remarkably, the manager once accused of being unrealistic proved correct.

Three years and four days, Spain moved extremely close of global football qualification, while simultaneously racking up their twenty-ninth straight competitive game unbeaten, matching the legendary record.

Pedri's Influence and Merino's Impact

During an evening when Pedri played and Mikel Merino made the difference, Spain defeated Bulgaria four-nil to accumulate 12 points from twelve in World Cup qualification, nearing advancement. The Arsenal midfielder and sometime striker scored the opening two goals and might have earned his second consecutive three-goal haul in three Spain appearances but when brought down in the closing minute, he selflessly passed the penalty to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Thus it was the Real Sociedad attacker, goal-getter of the decisive goal in the Euro 2024 showpiece, who maintained the remarkable sequence, equaling what Vicente del Bosque's golden generation achieved between 2010 and 2013.

Historic Achievement

Currently, readers may have observed the asterisk, and correctly so. Although FIFA might not classify it as a loss, during this remarkable run Spain did lose once – seven-five on penalties to Portugal in the Nations League decider back in June. Yet officially at least, this current team has matched that historic squad against which all Spanish sides are compared.

Victory in Georgia in a month and the achievement will be exclusively theirs. En route they won the Nations League in 2023, the European Championships in 2024 and advanced to a Nations League final in 2025; they head toward 2026 ranked No. 1, among the favorites once more, reminiscent of old times.

Complete Domination

The match represented "only" versus Bulgaria, it is true, just as previous encounters against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four victories from four outings, combined score fifteen-zero. Occurred two instances immediately after La Selección obtained their opening goals – the third strike being an self-inflicted – but ultimately their rivals had not been permitted a single shot on target.

Overall statistics showed: thirty-three to three, Spain clearly playing as Spain. Bulgaria's coach had confessed the only objective his team could have was to hold out as long as possible. Ultimately, that defensive effort lasted 33 minutes, and Merino's header represented Spain's 18th attempt on target already.

Midfield Brilliance

The display was about all of them, but at the core of it was Pedri, everywhere and elusive at once: present for Spain, absent for Bulgaria, incapable to detect him as he darted through their defense. He completed 101 passes by the time he was substituted 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 José Zorrilla sang 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 crossbar, but it was not just that. He had previously floated a gorgeous pass into Álex Baena to strike wide and delivered an additional back from which Baena was denied.

Sustained Attack

A disguised delivery had set Samu Aghehowa up for what ought to have been the opener, and a precise lay-off saw Oyarzabal scuff his shot. He received a chance of his own only to fail to find a clean connection, volleying wide.

But then, almost immediately after, he floated another ball in. This time Robin Le Normand headed across and Merino headed in. Spain, who had 88% of the ball, then had the lead. The heat map looked like they had run out of spray paint midway through and a moment later Aghehowa might have made it two-nil.

Brief Resistance

But then in part it's the uncertainty, even the unfairness, that makes football special. And the initial occasion Bulgaria advanced into Spain's half they might have equalized, Kiril Despodov suddenly sprinting away and striking the side-netting.

Introduced for Aghehowa at the break, Borja Iglesias had three chances in as many minutes before Merino scored once more. The delivery from the left flank was superb from Álex Grimaldo and there, leaping above all defenders, was Merino to direct the header down and dash off to celebrate around the flagpost.

Closing Stages

As they had after the first goal, Bulgaria escaped once more, Despodov sent through and sending his and their following 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 completely done, Merino kicked in the legs and stepping aside to let Oyarzabal blast in the 99th goal of De la Fuente's ongoing tenure.