Everything commenced in Scotland and the momentum persists. That memorable evening at Hampden represented merely Luis de la Fuente's second as Spain's manager; many believed it could turn out to be his final match in charge. Although a pair of Scott McTominay goals overcoming the Spanish national team, whereas almost all spectators anticipated his spell would be short-lived, the coach spoke about a pathway emerging - and interestingly, the man previously criticized of being unrealistic turned out correct.
Three years and later, Spain advanced extremely close of global football qualification, while simultaneously racking up their 29th straight competitive game without defeat, equaling the historic record.
Midfield Masterclass and Decisive Contribution
On a night when the Barcelona midfielder played and Mikel Merino created the decisive impact, Spain overcame Bulgaria four-nil to secure 12 points from 12 in World Cup qualification, nearing advancement. The Arsenal playmaker and sometime striker scored the first two goals and could have secured his second consecutive hat-trick in three recent Spain appearances but after brought down in the closing minute, he generously handed the penalty to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.
Therefore it was the Real Sociedad attacker, goal-getter of the decisive goal in the European Championship final, who maintained the impressive sequence, matching what Vicente del Bosque's legendary squad accomplished between 2010 and 2013.
Historic Achievement
Currently, you might have observed the symbol, and correctly so. While FIFA may not classify it as a loss, during this remarkable run Spain did suffer defeat once – 7-5 on penalties to Portugal in the continental tournament decider back in June. Yet formally at least, this current team has matched that historic team against which all Spanish national teams are measured.
Win in Georgia in thirty days 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 sitting No. 1, among the favorites once more, reminiscent of previous eras.
Complete Domination
The match represented "only" against Bulgaria, it is true, similar to previous encounters against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four wins from four outings, combined score 15-0. There were two moments immediately after La Selección obtained their opening goals – the third strike being an own goal – but eventually their rivals had not been allowed a single shot on target.
Overall count showed: thirty-three to three, Spain clearly being Spain. Bulgaria's coach had confessed the only objective his team could have was to resist as long as possible. As it turned out, that defensive effort lasted thirty-three minutes, and Merino's header represented Spain's eighteenth attempt on target already.
Midfield Brilliance
The display was about all of them, but at the heart of it was Pedri, everywhere and nowhere at once: present for Spain, nowhere for Bulgaria, incapable to track him as he darted through their defense. He executed 101 passes by the time he was withdrawn to a standing ovation on 66 minutes, and his were the moments of greatest subtlety, the most exquisite touches and the sharpest as well.
When the Valladolid stadium sang his name midway the opening period, 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 already floated a gorgeous pass into Álex Baena to strike wide and delivered another pass from which Baena was blocked.
Continued Pressure
An cleverly weighted pass had set Samu Aghehowa up for what ought to have been the first goal, and a precise lay-off saw Oyarzabal mishit his shot. He received a chance of his own only to fail to find a proper contact, volleying wide.
But then, shortly after, he floated an additional 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 half way through and a little later Aghehowa might have made it two-nil.
Brief Resistance
But then in part it's the unpredictability, even the injustice, that makes football great. And the first time Bulgaria got into Spain's half they might have equalized, Kiril Despodov suddenly sprinting away and hitting the outside of the net.
Brought on for Aghehowa at the break, Borja Iglesias had three chances in as many minutes before Merino scored again. The delivery from the left was excellent from Álex Grimaldo and there, leaping above all defenders, was Merino to power the header down and sprint to celebrate around the flagpost.
Closing Stages
Similar to their reaction after the first goal, Bulgaria escaped again, Despodov played through and putting his and their following shot wide and yet the initial instance the away team had a shot on target it was at the incorrect goal, Atanas Chernev deflecting into his team's goal. Yet it was not completely finished, Merino kicked in the legs and allowing to let Oyarzabal smash in the 99th goal of De la Fuente's continuing reign.
