Everything began in Scotland and this impressive streak continues. That fateful evening at Hampden represented only Luis de la Fuente's second as Spain's manager; many believed it might turn out to be his last match in charge. Although a pair of Scott McTominay goals defeating La Furia Roja, whereas virtually everyone anticipated his spell would be short-lived, De la Fuente talked about a route opening - and remarkably, the man once accused of living in Disneyland proved correct.
Three years and four days, Spain moved to within touching distance of global football qualification, while simultaneously racking up their 29th consecutive competitive game without defeat, matching the legendary record.
On a night when Pedri played and Mikel Merino made the difference, Spain defeated Bulgaria four-nil to secure a perfect dozen from twelve in World Cup qualification, edging closer. The Gunners' midfielder and sometime striker scored the opening two goals and could have earned his second consecutive three-goal haul in three recent Spain matches but when brought down in the closing minute, he selflessly passed the penalty to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.
Thus it was La Real striker, goal-getter of the decisive goal in the Euro 2024 final, who maintained the remarkable sequence, matching what Vicente del Bosque's legendary squad achieved between 2010 and 2013.
Now, readers may have noticed the asterisk, and correctly so. While FIFA might not classify it as a defeat, during this impressive run Spain did lose once – 7-5 on penalties to Portugal in the continental tournament final back in June. Yet formally at least, this current team has matched that historic squad against which all Spanish national teams are measured.
Victory in Georgia in thirty days and the record will be exclusively theirs. En route they captured the Nations League in 2023, the European Championships in 2024 and reached a Nations League final in 2025; they approach 2026 sitting number one, among the frontrunners once more, reminiscent of old times.
This was "only" against Bulgaria, it is true, just as previous encounters against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four wins from four, aggregate score fifteen-zero. Occurred two instances immediately after La Selección scored their opening goals – the third strike being an own goal – but ultimately their rivals had not been allowed a solitary shot on target.
Overall statistics showed: thirty-three to three, Spain clearly being 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 resistance lasted thirty-three minutes, and Merino's header represented Spain's 18th attempt on target by that point.
This performance was about the entire team, but at the core of it was Pedri, ubiquitous and nowhere at once: present for Spain, absent for Bulgaria, incapable to track him as he darted 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 moments 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 penalty box 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 delivered another pass from which Baena was denied.
A disguised pass had created opportunity for Samu Aghehowa up for what should have been the opener, and a precise lay-off saw Oyarzabal mishit his shot. He got a opportunity of his own only to fail to find a clean connection, striking wide.
But then, shortly after, he delivered an additional ball in. This time Robin Le Normand nodded across and Merino headed in. Spain, who had 88% of the possession, then had the lead. The positioning chart looked like they had run out of spray paint midway through and a little later Aghehowa might have made it two-nil.
But then in part it's the unpredictability, even the unfairness, that makes football great. And the initial occasion Bulgaria got into Spain's territory they could 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 multiple chances in as many minutes before Merino scored once more. The cross from the left was superb from Álex Grimaldo and there, leaping above everyone, was Merino to power the header downward and sprint to do laps around the flagpost.
As they had after the first goal, Bulgaria survived again, Despodov played through and putting his and their following shot wide and yet the first time the away team had a shot on target it was at the incorrect goal, Atanas Chernev deflecting into his own net. Yet it was not quite done, Merino fouled in the shins and stepping aside to let Oyarzabal blast in the 99th goal of De la Fuente's continuing reign.
A digital artist and writer passionate about blending technology with creative expression in everyday life.
