It all began in Scotland and the momentum continues. That fateful night at Hampden marked only Luis de la Fuente's second as Spain's head coach; many believed it might turn out to be his final assignment. Despite a pair of Scott McTominay goals defeating the Spanish national team, while almost all spectators expected his tenure would be short-lived, De la Fuente spoke about a route opening - and remarkably, the man previously criticized of living in Disneyland proved correct.
36 months and four days, Spain moved extremely close of global football participation, while simultaneously racking up their 29th straight competitive game unbeaten, equaling the legendary record.
Pedri's Influence and Merino's Impact
On a night when the Barcelona midfielder played and Mikel Merino created the decisive impact, Spain defeated Bulgaria 4-0 to secure 12 points from 12 in qualifying, edging closer. The Arsenal playmaker and occasional striker scored the opening two goals and could have earned his second consecutive three-goal haul in three recent Spain appearances but after brought down in the closing minute, he generously handed the spot-kick to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.
Therefore it was La Real striker, goal-getter of the winning goal in the European Championship final, who maintained the remarkable sequence, matching what Vicente del Bosque's golden generation accomplished between 2010 and 2013.
Historic Achievement
Now, you might have observed the asterisk, and correctly so. Although FIFA might not count it as a loss, 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 present team has matched that historic team against which all Spanish sides are compared.
Victory in Georgia in a month and the achievement will be theirs alone. Along the way they won the Nations League in 2023, the European Championships in 2024 and reached a Nations League final in 2025; they approach 2026 ranked number one, among the favorites once more, reminiscent of old times.
Complete Domination
This was "only" versus Bulgaria, admittedly, similar to previous encounters against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four victories from four, combined score fifteen-zero. Occurred two instances immediately after the Spanish team scored their first two goals – the third being an own goal – but ultimately their opponents had not been permitted a single shot on target.
Overall count read: 33-3, Spain clearly 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 defensive effort lasted thirty-three minutes, and Merino's header constituted Spain's 18th attempt on target by that point.
Pedri's Masterclass
This performance was about the entire team, but at the heart of it was Pedri, ubiquitous and elusive simultaneously: everywhere for Spain, absent for Bulgaria, unable to track him as he flitted through their defense. He completed 101 passes by the time he was withdrawn to a standing ovation on the sixty-sixth minute, and his were the moments of greatest subtlety, the finest touches and the sharpest too.
When the José Zorrilla sang his name midway the first half, he had just drifted unnoticed into the penalty box again, chipping his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the crossbar, but it was not only that. He had previously lifted a gorgeous pass into Álex Baena to strike wide and pulled another back from which Baena was blocked.
Sustained Attack
A disguised delivery had set Samu Aghehowa up for what ought to have been the first goal, and a neat lay-off saw Oyarzabal scuff his attempt. He got a opportunity of his own only to be unable to find a proper contact, striking wide.
But then, almost immediately after, he floated another ball in. This time Robin Le Normand headed across and Merino headed in. Spain, who had eighty-eight percent of the possession, then had the lead. The heat map looked like they had run out of marking paint midway through and a little later Aghehowa could have made it two-nil.
Momentary Threat
But then in part it's the uncertainty, even the injustice, that makes football special. And the initial occasion Bulgaria got into Spain's territory they might have equalized, Kiril Despodov suddenly sprinting away and hitting the side-netting.
Brought on for Aghehowa at the half-time, Borja Iglesias had multiple opportunities in as many minutes before Merino did it once more. The cross from the left flank was excellent from Álex Grimaldo and there, jumping above all defenders, was Merino to power the header downward and sprint to do laps around the corner flag.
Final Moments
Similar to their reaction after the opener, Bulgaria escaped once more, Despodov sent through and putting his and their second shot wide and yet the initial instance the away team had a shot on target it was at the wrong end, Atanas Chernev turning into his own net. Still it was not quite done, Merino fouled in the shins and stepping aside to let Oyarzabal smash in the ninety-ninth goal of De la Fuente's ongoing tenure.
