🔗 Share this article

It all commenced in Scotland and this impressive streak remains unbroken. That fateful night at Hampden represented only Luis de la Fuente's second as Spain's manager; many believed it might prove to be his last assignment. Despite a pair of Scott McTominay goals defeating the Spanish national team, while virtually everyone expected his tenure would be short-lived, De la Fuente talked about a route emerging - and remarkably, the man previously criticized of living in Disneyland proved right.

36 months and later, Spain moved extremely close of World Cup qualification, while simultaneously racking up their twenty-ninth consecutive official game unbeaten, equaling the legendary record.

Midfield Masterclass and Decisive Contribution

On a night when the Barcelona midfielder played and Mikel Merino created the difference, Spain overcame Bulgaria four-nil to secure a perfect dozen from twelve in qualifying, nearing advancement. The Gunners' midfielder and sometime striker netted the opening two goals and could have secured his second consecutive three-goal haul in three Spain matches but after brought down in the final minute, he generously handed the penalty to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Therefore it was the Real Sociedad attacker, scorer of the decisive goal in the Euro 2024 showpiece, who maintained the impressive sequence, matching what Vicente del Bosque's legendary squad achieved between 2010 and 2013.

Record Equaled

Currently, readers may have observed the symbol, and correctly so. Although FIFA may not classify it as a loss, during this remarkable run Spain did suffer defeat once – seven-five on penalties to Portugal in the Nations League final back in June. However officially at least, this present team has equaled that historic squad against which all Spanish national teams 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 number one, among the frontrunners once more, just like old times.

Total Control

This was "only" against Bulgaria, admittedly, just as previous encounters against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four wins from four, aggregate score 15-0. Occurred two moments immediately after La Selección obtained their opening goals – the third strike being an own goal – but ultimately their opponents had not been permitted a single shot on target.

Overall count showed: 33-3, Spain clearly being Spain. Bulgaria's coach had confessed the sole objective his team could have was to resist as long as possible. As it turned out, that defensive effort lasted thirty-three minutes, and Merino's header represented Spain's 18th attempt on target by that point.

Midfield Brilliance

This performance was about the entire team, but at the heart of it was Pedri, everywhere and nowhere simultaneously: present for Spain, nowhere for Bulgaria, incapable to detect him as he darted through their defense. He executed one hundred and one passes by the time he was withdrawn to a rapturous applause on 66 minutes, and his were the moments of greatest subtlety, the most exquisite touches and the sharpest too.

When the Valladolid stadium chanted his name during the opening period, he had just slipped 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 already lifted a magnificent pass into Álex Baena to volley wide and delivered another pass from which Baena was blocked.

Sustained Attack

A disguised delivery had set Samu Aghehowa up for what ought to have been the first goal, and a neat pass saw Oyarzabal scuff his shot. He got a chance of his own only to be unable to find a proper contact, striking wide.

But then, almost immediately after, he delivered another ball in. This time Robin Le Normand nodded across and Merino directed in. Spain, who had eighty-eight percent of the ball, now had the lead. The positioning chart looked like they had exhausted supply of marking paint half way through and a little later Aghehowa could have made it two.

Momentary Threat

But then in part it's the unpredictability, even the unfairness, that makes football great. And the initial occasion Bulgaria got into Spain's half they could have equalized, Kiril Despodov suddenly breaking away and hitting the outside of the net.

Brought on for Aghehowa at the break, Borja Iglesias had multiple opportunities in as many minutes before Merino did it again. The cross from the left was excellent from Álex Grimaldo and there, leaping above everyone, was Merino to direct the header down and sprint to do laps around the corner flag.

Closing Stages

Similar to their reaction after the first goal, Bulgaria survived again, Despodov played through and sending his and their following shot wide and nevertheless the initial instance the away team had a shot on target it was at the incorrect goal, Atanas Chernev turning into his team's goal. Still it was not completely finished, Merino kicked in the legs and allowing to let Oyarzabal blast in the ninety-ninth goal of De la Fuente's ongoing tenure.