Everything started in Scottish soil and this impressive streak remains unbroken. That fateful evening at Hampden marked merely Luis de la Fuente's second as Spain's head coach; many believed it could prove to be his last assignment. Despite a pair of Scott McTominay goals overcoming the Spanish national team, whereas almost all spectators expected his spell would be short-lived, De la Fuente spoke about a route opening - and interestingly, the man once accused of being unrealistic proved right.
36 months and four days, Spain advanced extremely close of global football qualification, while simultaneously achieving their 29th straight competitive game without defeat, equaling the legendary record.
Midfield Masterclass and Decisive Contribution
On a night when the Barcelona midfielder featured and Mikel Merino created the decisive impact, Spain overcame Bulgaria 4-0 to accumulate a perfect dozen from 12 in qualifying, nearing advancement. The Arsenal midfielder and sometime forward netted the opening two goals and could have secured his second consecutive hat-trick in three recent Spain matches but after brought down in the final minute, he selflessly passed the penalty to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.
Thus it was the Real Sociedad striker, goal-getter of the winning goal in the Euro 2024 final, who continued the impressive sequence, matching what Vicente del Bosque's golden generation achieved between 2010 and 2013.
Historic Achievement
Now, you might have noticed the symbol, and correctly so. Although FIFA might not classify it as a loss, during this remarkable run Spain did suffer defeat once – seven-five on penalties to Portugal in the continental tournament decider back in June. Yet officially at least, this current team has equaled that legendary squad against which all Spanish national teams are measured.
Victory in Georgia in a month and the achievement 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 head toward 2026 ranked No. 1, among the favorites once more, just like previous eras.
Complete Domination
This was "only" against Bulgaria, it is true, just as previous matches against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four victories from four, combined score 15-0. Occurred two instances immediately after La Selección scored their first two goals – the third strike being an own goal – but eventually their opponents had not been permitted a single shot on target.
Overall count read: thirty-three to three, Spain demonstrably playing as Spain. Bulgaria's coach had admitted the sole objective his team could have was to resist as long as they could. Ultimately, that defensive effort lasted 33 minutes, and Merino's header represented Spain's 18th attempt on target by that point.
Pedri's Masterclass
This performance was about all of them, but at the heart of it was Pedri, ubiquitous and nowhere at once: present for Spain, absent for Bulgaria, unable to detect him as he flitted through their defense. 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 too.
When the José Zorrilla sang his name midway the opening period, he had just slipped unnoticed into the area once more, dinking his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the crossbar, but it was not just that. He had previously floated a magnificent pass into Álex Baena to volley wide and pulled an additional back from which Baena was denied.
Sustained Attack
A disguised delivery had set Samu Aghehowa up for what ought to have been the first goal, and a neat pass saw Oyarzabal scuff his shot. He received a opportunity of his own only to be unable 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 ball, then had the advantage. The positioning chart appeared like they had exhausted supply of marking paint midway through and a little later Aghehowa could have made it two.
Momentary Threat
But then in part it's the unpredictability, even the unfairness, that makes football great. And the initial occasion Bulgaria advanced into Spain's territory they might have leveled the score, Kiril Despodov abruptly sprinting away and striking the outside of the net.
Brought on for Aghehowa at the half-time, Borja Iglesias had three opportunities in as many minutes before Merino did it again. The delivery from the left was excellent from Álex Grimaldo and there, leaping above everyone, was Merino to power the header downward and sprint to do laps round the corner flag.
Final Moments
As they had after the first goal, Bulgaria escaped again, Despodov played through and sending his and their second shot wide and nevertheless the first time the away team had a shot on target it was at the wrong end, Atanas Chernev deflecting into his team's goal. 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 tenure.
