🔗 Share this article

Everything started in Scottish soil and the momentum persists. That memorable night at Hampden marked merely Luis de la Fuente's second as Spain's manager; many believed it might turn out to be his final assignment. Although two Scott McTominay goals overcoming the Spanish national team, whereas virtually everyone expected his tenure would be short-lived, the coach spoke about a route emerging - and interestingly, the manager previously criticized of being unrealistic turned out correct.

Three years and four days, Spain moved to within touching distance of World Cup qualification, and also achieving their 29th consecutive official game without defeat, equaling the historic record.

Pedri's Influence and Decisive Contribution

During an evening when the Barcelona midfielder played and Mikel Merino created the decisive impact, Spain overcame Bulgaria 4-0 to accumulate 12 points from twelve in qualifying, edging closer. The Gunners' midfielder and occasional striker netted the opening two goals and could have earned his second consecutive three-goal haul in three Spain appearances but after fouled in the final minute, he selflessly passed the spot-kick to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Therefore it was La Real attacker, scorer of the winning goal in the European Championship showpiece, who continued the remarkable sequence, equaling what Vicente del Bosque's legendary squad achieved between 2010 and 2013.

Historic Achievement

Now, you might have observed the asterisk, and correctly so. While FIFA may not count it as a loss, during this remarkable run Spain did lose once – seven-five on penalties to Portugal in the Nations League final back in June. However officially at least, this present team has matched that legendary squad against which all Spanish national teams are compared.

Win 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 approach 2026 sitting No. 1, among the favorites once more, reminiscent of old times.

Complete Domination

The match represented "only" versus Bulgaria, admittedly, similar to previous encounters against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four victories from four outings, aggregate score 15-0. Occurred two moments immediately after the Spanish team obtained their first two goals – the third strike being an self-inflicted – but ultimately their opponents had not been permitted a solitary shot on target.

Overall statistics showed: thirty-three to three, Spain clearly playing as Spain. Bulgaria's coach had admitted the sole objective his team could have was to hold out as long as they could. As it turned out, that resistance lasted thirty-three minutes, and Merino's header constituted Spain's eighteenth attempt on target by that point.

Pedri's Masterclass

The display was about all of them, but at the heart of it was Pedri, ubiquitous and elusive at once: everywhere for Spain, absent for Bulgaria, unable 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 instances of utmost subtlety, the most exquisite touches and the most incisive too.

When the José Zorrilla chanted his name midway the first half, he had just drifted unmarked into the area once more, dinking his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the crossbar, but it was not only that. He had previously floated a magnificent pass into Álex Baena to strike wide and pulled another back from which Baena was denied.

Sustained Attack

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

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

Brief Resistance

But then in part it's the uncertainty, even the injustice, that makes football great. And the initial occasion Bulgaria advanced into Spain's territory they could have equalized, Kiril Despodov abruptly sprinting 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 scored again. The delivery from the left flank was superb from Álex Grimaldo and there, leaping above all defenders, was Merino to power the header downward and dash off to celebrate round the corner flag.

Final Moments

Similar to their reaction after the first goal, Bulgaria escaped again, Despodov played through and sending his and their second shot wide and yet the initial instance the away team had a shot on target it was at the incorrect goal, Atanas Chernev deflecting into his own net. Still it was not completely finished, Merino fouled in the legs and stepping aside to let Oyarzabal smash in the ninety-ninth goal of De la Fuente's ongoing reign.