🔗 Share this article

It all commenced in Scotland and the momentum persists. That memorable night at Hampden represented only Luis de la Fuente's second as Spain's head coach; many believed it might turn out to be his last match in charge. Despite two Scott McTominay goals defeating La Furia Roja, while almost all spectators expected his spell would be brief, De la Fuente talked about a route opening - and interestingly, the manager once accused of living in Disneyland proved correct.

Three years and four days, Spain moved to within touching distance of global football participation, and also achieving their twenty-ninth consecutive official game without defeat, matching the historic record.

Pedri's Influence and Decisive Contribution

During an evening when the Barcelona midfielder featured and Mikel Merino created the difference, Spain overcame Bulgaria four-nil to secure a perfect dozen from 12 in World Cup qualification, nearing advancement. The Arsenal midfielder and sometime forward scored the first two goals and could have secured his second consecutive three-goal haul in three recent Spain matches but after fouled in the final minute, he selflessly passed the spot-kick to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Therefore it was the Real Sociedad attacker, goal-getter of the decisive goal in the European Championship final, who continued the remarkable sequence, matching what Vicente del Bosque's legendary squad accomplished between 2010 and 2013.

Record Equaled

Currently, you might have observed the asterisk, and correctly so. Although FIFA might not classify it as a loss, during this impressive run Spain did suffer defeat 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 sides are measured.

Win in Georgia in thirty days and the achievement will be exclusively theirs. En route they won the Nations League in 2023, the European Championships in 2024 and reached a Nations League final in 2025; they approach 2026 ranked No. 1, among the frontrunners once more, just like previous eras.

Total Control

This was "only" versus Bulgaria, admittedly, similar to previous encounters against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four wins from four, combined score 15-0. There were two moments immediately after the Spanish team scored their opening goals – the third being an self-inflicted – but eventually their rivals had not been allowed a single shot on target.

The total count showed: 33-3, Spain demonstrably playing as Spain. Bulgaria's coach had admitted the only 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 eighteenth attempt on target already.

Pedri's Masterclass

The display was about all of them, but at the heart of it was Pedri, ubiquitous and nowhere simultaneously: everywhere for Spain, nowhere for Bulgaria, unable to detect him as he flitted through their lines. He executed one hundred and one passes by the time he was substituted to a standing ovation on 66 minutes, and his were the instances of utmost subtlety, the finest touches and the sharpest too.

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

Sustained Attack

An cleverly weighted delivery had set Samu Aghehowa up for what ought to have been the first goal, and a precise pass saw Oyarzabal mishit his shot. He got a opportunity of his own only to fail to find a clean contact, volleying wide.

But then, almost immediately after, he delivered another ball in. This time Robin Le Normand nodded across and Merino directed in. Spain, who had 88% of the ball, then had the lead. The heat map looked like they had exhausted supply of marking paint half way through and a little later Aghehowa could have made it two.

Brief Resistance

But then in part it's the uncertainty, even the unfairness, that makes football great. And the initial occasion Bulgaria advanced into Spain's territory they might have equalized, Kiril Despodov suddenly breaking away and hitting the outside of the net.

Introduced for Aghehowa at the half-time, Borja Iglesias had multiple chances in as many minutes before Merino scored again. The cross from the left was superb from Álex Grimaldo and there, jumping above everyone, was Merino to power the header downward and sprint to celebrate around the corner flag.

Final Moments

Similar to their reaction after the first goal, Bulgaria escaped again, Despodov sent through and putting his and their second shot wide and nevertheless the first time the visitors had a shot on target it was at the wrong end, Atanas Chernev deflecting into his own net. Still it was not quite finished, Merino fouled in the shins and stepping aside to let Oyarzabal blast in the 99th goal of De la Fuente's ongoing tenure.