🔗 Share this article

It all began in Scotland and this impressive streak persists. That memorable evening at Hampden represented merely Luis de la Fuente's second as Spain's manager; numerous observers thought it could prove to be his last assignment. Despite a pair of Scott McTominay goals overcoming La Furia Roja, while almost all spectators anticipated his spell would be brief, De la Fuente spoke about a pathway emerging - and remarkably, the manager previously criticized of living in Disneyland proved correct.

Three years and four days, Spain moved extremely close of World Cup qualification, while simultaneously racking up their twenty-ninth straight official game without defeat, equaling the legendary record.

Midfield Masterclass and Merino's Impact

On a night when the Barcelona midfielder featured and Mikel Merino created the difference, Spain defeated Bulgaria four-nil to secure a perfect dozen from 12 in World Cup qualification, nearing advancement. The Arsenal midfielder and sometime striker scored the first two goals and might have earned his second consecutive hat-trick in three Spain appearances but after fouled in the closing minute, he generously handed the penalty to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Thus it was the Real Sociedad attacker, scorer of the decisive goal in the European Championship showpiece, who continued the impressive sequence, equaling what Vicente del Bosque's legendary squad accomplished between 2010 and 2013.

Record Equaled

Now, readers may have noticed the asterisk, and rightly so. While FIFA may not classify it as a defeat, during this remarkable run Spain did suffer defeat once – 7-5 on penalties to Portugal in the Nations League final back in June. Yet officially at least, this current team has matched that legendary squad against which all Spanish national teams are measured.

Win in Georgia in thirty days and the record will be theirs alone. En route they captured the Nations League in 2023, the European Championships in 2024 and reached a Nations League final in 2025; they approach 2026 sitting No. 1, among the favorites once more, reminiscent of previous eras.

Complete Domination

The match represented "only" against Bulgaria, admittedly, similar to previous matches against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four victories from four, combined score fifteen-zero. There were two instances immediately after the Spanish team obtained their first two goals – the third strike being an own goal – but ultimately their rivals had not been allowed a solitary shot on target.

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

Pedri's Masterclass

This performance was about the entire team, but at the core of it was Pedri, everywhere and nowhere at once: present for Spain, nowhere for Bulgaria, unable to detect him as he darted through their lines. He completed one hundred and one passes by the time he was withdrawn to a rapturous applause on the sixty-sixth minute, and his were the instances of greatest subtlety, the most exquisite touches and the sharpest as well.

When the Valladolid stadium sang his name during the first half, he had just drifted unnoticed into the area again, chipping his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the woodwork, but it was not only that. He had already lifted a gorgeous pass into Álex Baena to volley wide and delivered another back from which Baena was denied.

Continued Pressure

A disguised pass had created opportunity for Samu Aghehowa up for what ought to have been the opener, and a neat pass saw Oyarzabal mishit his shot. He received a opportunity of his own only to fail to find a proper connection, striking wide.

But then, almost immediately after, he delivered another ball in. This time Robin Le Normand headed across and Merino directed in. Spain, who had 88% of the possession, then had the lead. The positioning chart looked like they had run out of marking paint half way through and a moment later Aghehowa could have made it two.

Momentary Threat

But then in part it's the unpredictability, even the injustice, that makes football great. And the initial occasion Bulgaria advanced into Spain's territory they might have equalized, Kiril Despodov suddenly breaking away and striking the side-netting.

Brought on for Aghehowa at the break, Borja Iglesias had three chances in as many minutes before Merino did it again. The cross from the left flank was superb from Álex Grimaldo and there, leaping above all defenders, was Merino to power the header down and dash off to celebrate around the flagpost.

Final Moments

As they had after the opener, Bulgaria survived again, Despodov played through and putting his and their second shot wide and yet the initial instance the visitors had a shot on target it was at the wrong end, Atanas Chernev deflecting into his own net. Still it was not quite finished, Merino kicked in the shins and allowing to let Oyarzabal blast in the 99th goal of De la Fuente's continuing reign.