🔗 Share this article

It all began in Scotland and the momentum remains unbroken. That memorable night at Hampden marked only Luis de la Fuente's second as Spain's head coach; numerous observers thought it could turn out to be his last assignment. Although two Scott McTominay goals overcoming the Spanish national team, while almost all spectators expected his spell would be brief, the coach spoke about a route emerging - and interestingly, the man previously criticized of being unrealistic turned out right.

Three years and four days, Spain advanced to within touching distance of World Cup participation, and also racking up their twenty-ninth straight competitive game unbeaten, matching the legendary record.

Midfield Masterclass and Decisive Contribution

On a night when the Barcelona midfielder featured and Mikel Merino made the difference, Spain defeated Bulgaria four-nil to secure 12 points from twelve in World Cup qualification, edging closer. The Arsenal midfielder and occasional striker netted the opening two goals and might have secured his second consecutive three-goal haul in three recent Spain appearances but when fouled in the final minute, he selflessly passed the penalty to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

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

Historic Achievement

Now, readers may have noticed the asterisk, and rightly so. Although FIFA may not count it as a defeat, during this impressive run Spain did suffer defeat once – 7-5 on penalties to Portugal in the continental tournament decider back in June. However formally at least, this current team has matched that historic team against which all Spanish sides are compared.

Win in Georgia in thirty days and the achievement will be exclusively theirs. Along the way they won 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 frontrunners 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 wins from four, aggregate score fifteen-zero. There were two instances immediately after the Spanish team scored their first two goals – the third strike being an own goal – but eventually their opponents had not been allowed a solitary shot on target.

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

Pedri's Masterclass

This performance was about the entire team, but at the core of it was Pedri, ubiquitous and nowhere simultaneously: everywhere for Spain, absent for Bulgaria, unable to detect him as he darted through their defense. He completed 101 passes by the time he was substituted to a standing ovation on 66 minutes, and his were the instances of greatest subtlety, the most exquisite touches and the most incisive too.

When the José Zorrilla chanted his name midway the first half, he had just slipped unnoticed into the area once more, chipping his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the woodwork, but it was not only that. He had previously lifted a gorgeous pass into Álex Baena to volley wide and delivered an additional back from which Baena was denied.

Sustained Attack

A disguised delivery had set Samu Aghehowa up for what should have been the opener, and a precise lay-off saw Oyarzabal scuff his attempt. He got a chance of his own only to fail to find a clean connection, volleying wide.

But then, almost immediately after, he delivered an additional ball in. This time Robin Le Normand nodded across and Merino headed in. Spain, who had eighty-eight percent of the possession, now had the advantage. The positioning chart appeared like they had run out of spray paint midway through and a little later Aghehowa might have made it two.

Brief Resistance

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 sprinting away and hitting the side-netting.

Introduced for Aghehowa at the break, Borja Iglesias had three chances in as many minutes before Merino did it again. The cross from the left was superb from Álex Grimaldo and there, jumping above everyone, was Merino to power the header down and sprint to do laps round the flagpost.

Closing Stages

Similar to their reaction after the first goal, Bulgaria survived once more, Despodov sent through and sending his and their following shot wide and nevertheless the initial instance the visitors had a shot on target it was at the wrong end, Atanas Chernev turning into his team's goal. Yet it was not completely done, Merino fouled in the legs and allowing to let Oyarzabal blast in the ninety-ninth goal of De la Fuente's continuing reign.