🔗 Share this article

Everything began in Scottish soil and this impressive streak persists. That memorable night at Hampden marked merely Luis de la Fuente's second as Spain's head coach; numerous observers thought it could prove to be his last assignment. Although a pair of Scott McTominay goals overcoming the Spanish national team, while virtually everyone expected his spell would be short-lived, De la Fuente talked about a route emerging - and interestingly, the man once accused of living in Disneyland turned out correct.

36 months and later, Spain moved to within touching distance of World Cup participation, and also achieving their 29th straight competitive game unbeaten, equaling the legendary record.

Midfield Masterclass and Merino's Impact

On a night when Pedri played and Mikel Merino made the decisive impact, Spain overcame Bulgaria 4-0 to secure a perfect dozen from twelve in qualifying, nearing advancement. The Arsenal midfielder and occasional forward netted the first two goals and could have earned his second consecutive hat-trick in three recent Spain matches but after brought down in the final minute, he generously handed the penalty to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

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

Record Equaled

Now, you might have observed the asterisk, and rightly so. While FIFA may not classify it as a loss, during this impressive run Spain did lose once – seven-five on penalties to Portugal in the continental tournament decider back in June. However formally at least, this present team has equaled that historic team against which all Spanish national teams are compared.

Victory in Georgia in a month and the record will be theirs alone. Along the way they captured the Nations League in 2023, the European Championships in 2024 and advanced to a Nations League final in 2025; they approach 2026 ranked number one, among the favorites once more, reminiscent of old times.

Total Control

The match represented "only" versus Bulgaria, it is true, similar to previous encounters against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four wins from four, aggregate score fifteen-zero. Occurred two moments immediately after La Selección obtained their opening goals – the third being an self-inflicted – but eventually their rivals had not been allowed a solitary shot on target.

The total statistics showed: thirty-three to three, Spain demonstrably being Spain. Bulgaria's coach had admitted the only objective his team could have was to hold out as long as possible. As it turned out, that resistance lasted thirty-three minutes, and Merino's header constituted Spain's 18th attempt on target by that point.

Midfield Brilliance

This performance was about the entire team, but at the core of it was Pedri, everywhere and elusive simultaneously: everywhere for Spain, nowhere for Bulgaria, incapable to detect him as he flitted through their defense. He completed 101 passes by the time he was substituted to a standing ovation on the sixty-sixth minute, and his were the moments of greatest subtlety, the most exquisite touches and the sharpest too.

When the José Zorrilla chanted his name during the opening period, he had just slipped unnoticed into the penalty box again, chipping his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the crossbar, but it was not just that. He had already floated a gorgeous pass into Álex Baena to volley wide and delivered another pass from which Baena was blocked.

Sustained Attack

An cleverly weighted pass had created opportunity for Samu Aghehowa up for what should have been the first goal, and a precise lay-off saw Oyarzabal scuff his shot. He received a opportunity of his own only to be unable to find a clean contact, striking wide.

But then, almost immediately after, he floated an additional ball in. This time Robin Le Normand nodded across and Merino headed in. Spain, who had eighty-eight percent of the ball, now had the advantage. The heat map appeared like they had exhausted supply of spray paint half way through and a little later Aghehowa might have made it two.

Brief Resistance

But then in part it's the uncertainty, even the unfairness, that makes football great. And the first time Bulgaria got into Spain's territory they could have leveled the score, Kiril Despodov suddenly sprinting away and hitting the outside of the net.

Introduced for Aghehowa at the half-time, Borja Iglesias had multiple chances in as many minutes before Merino scored once more. The cross from the left was excellent from Álex Grimaldo and there, jumping above all defenders, was Merino to power the header downward and dash off to do laps around the corner flag.

Closing Stages

As they had after the opener, Bulgaria survived once more, Despodov played through and putting his and their following shot wide and nevertheless the initial instance the away team had a shot on target it was at the wrong end, Atanas Chernev turning into his own net. Still it was not completely finished, Merino fouled in the shins and allowing to let Oyarzabal blast in the ninety-ninth goal of De la Fuente's continuing tenure.