🔗 Share this article

Everything commenced in Scottish soil and the momentum persists. That fateful evening at Hampden represented only Luis de la Fuente's second as Spain's manager; many believed it could prove to be his final assignment. Despite two Scott McTominay goals defeating the Spanish national team, whereas almost all spectators anticipated his tenure would be short-lived, De la Fuente talked about a pathway opening - and interestingly, the manager previously criticized of living in Disneyland proved correct.

Three years and four days, Spain advanced to within touching distance of World Cup participation, and also achieving their twenty-ninth consecutive official game unbeaten, equaling the historic record.

Pedri's Influence and Merino's Impact

On a night when the Barcelona midfielder featured and Mikel Merino made the decisive impact, Spain defeated Bulgaria 4-0 to secure a perfect dozen from 12 in qualifying, edging closer. The Gunners' playmaker and sometime striker netted the first two goals and might have secured his second three-goal haul in three recent Spain appearances but when brought down in the closing minute, he selflessly passed the spot-kick to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Thus it was La Real striker, scorer of the winning goal in the Euro 2024 final, who continued the impressive sequence, equaling what Vicente del Bosque's golden generation accomplished between 2010 and 2013.

Record Equaled

Now, you might have noticed the asterisk, and rightly so. While FIFA might 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. However officially at least, this current team has matched that legendary squad against which all Spanish national teams are compared.

Win in Georgia in a month and the record will be theirs alone. En route they captured the Nations League in 2023, the European Championships in 2024 and advanced to a Nations League final in 2025; they approach 2026 sitting number one, among the favorites once more, reminiscent of previous eras.

Complete Domination

This was "only" against Bulgaria, it is true, similar to previous encounters against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four wins from four, combined score 15-0. Occurred two instances immediately after La Selección obtained their first two goals – the third being an own goal – but ultimately their rivals had not been allowed a solitary shot on target.

The total statistics showed: 33-3, Spain demonstrably playing as Spain. Bulgaria's coach had confessed the only objective his team could have was to hold out as long as they could. As it turned out, that defensive effort lasted 33 minutes, and Merino's header represented Spain's 18th attempt on target already.

Pedri's Masterclass

The display was about all of them, but at the core of it was Pedri, ubiquitous and elusive at once: everywhere for Spain, absent for Bulgaria, unable to detect him as he flitted through their lines. He completed 101 passes by the time he was withdrawn to a standing ovation on 66 minutes, and his were the instances of utmost subtlety, the most exquisite touches and the most incisive as well.

When the José Zorrilla chanted his name midway the first half, he had just drifted unnoticed into the area once more, chipping his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the crossbar, but it was not just that. He had already floated a magnificent pass into Álex Baena to strike wide and delivered an additional pass from which Baena was blocked.

Continued Pressure

An cleverly weighted delivery had set Samu Aghehowa up for what ought to have been the opener, and a precise pass saw Oyarzabal mishit his attempt. He received a chance of his own only to be unable to find a proper contact, striking wide.

But then, shortly after, he delivered another ball in. This time Robin Le Normand headed across and Merino directed in. Spain, who had eighty-eight percent of the possession, then had the lead. The heat map appeared like they had exhausted supply of marking paint midway through and a little later Aghehowa could have made it two.

Brief Resistance

But then in part it's the unpredictability, even the unfairness, that makes football special. And the initial occasion Bulgaria advanced into Spain's half they could have leveled the score, Kiril Despodov abruptly sprinting away and hitting the side-netting.

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 flank was excellent from Álex Grimaldo and there, jumping above everyone, was Merino to power the header down and sprint to celebrate around the corner flag.

Final Moments

As they had after the first goal, Bulgaria escaped again, Despodov sent through and putting his and their second 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 own net. Still it was not quite done, Merino kicked in the legs and allowing to let Oyarzabal blast in the ninety-ninth goal of De la Fuente's ongoing reign.