Spain took the first step towards qualifying for the 2026 World Cup on Thursday evening. Head coach Luis de la Fuente praised his team after the 0-3 victory and showed full understanding for the players’ fatigue.
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Spain had already finished the job against Bulgaria within the opening 38 minutes, displaying once again the clinical edge and tactical authority that have become trademarks of Luis de la Fuente’s tenure.
The early dominance was evident in both the scoreline and the control exerted on the pitch. Oyarzabal opened the scoring with a well-timed run and composed finish, Cucurella added a second with a strike that showed both confidence and precision, and Merino wrapped up the first half with a goal that effectively killed off any hope of a Bulgarian response. By halftime, the contest felt over, and Spain could already turn one eye toward the next challenge.
The second half was a different story. Spain dropped their intensity, something the coach admitted candidly afterwards. In the second half we lacked freshness, but that is normal at this stage of the season. Sunday will be different, De la Fuente remarked, clearly setting the tone ahead of the upcoming clash against Turkey, a far more demanding opponent. He stressed the importance of maintaining standards, highlighting that the players themselves were the first to feel disappointment with the lower tempo after the break. This emphasis on self-criticism and collective demand reflects the culture he has instilled since taking charge.
The 3-0 scoreline in Sofia was more than just a win it was a continuation of an extraordinary run. Spain are now unbeaten in 26 official matches, only three away from equalling their all-time record. That streak places De la Fuente’s squad among the most reliable national teams in world football today. Since taking over in March 2023, the coach has lost only two games, and those setbacks served as valuable lessons that strengthened the group rather than derailed it.
Spanish media outlets were united in their praise. Marca called Spain the most reliable squad in the world, pointing not only to the unbeaten run but also to the remarkable consistency in performances. The paper argued that Turkey, their next opponent, face the most stable and well-drilled national team in the current international landscape.
El País chose to highlight Spain’s ruthless streak, declaring that La Roja show no mercy for Bulgaria. For the newspaper, the most striking aspect was the way the European champions approached their first World Cup qualifying match with the same intensity and focus that defined their Euro 2024 triumph. Even when experimenting with line-ups, the team’s identity remains clear. De la Fuente has shown an ability to rotate between veterans like Rodri, Dani Carvajal and Álvaro Morata, and younger stars such as Pedri and Lamine Yamal, without disrupting the balance. This adaptability has become one of Spain’s greatest strengths.
AS focused on the broader picture, stressing how Spain have spoiled their fans with a series of convincing performances that make international football look deceptively simple. Bulgaria, despite being ranked lower in FIFA’s list, were not expected to be an easy task in Sofia. Yet Spain brushed them aside, underlining the gulf in quality. The newspaper paid particular attention to Lamine Yamal’s performance on the right wing, describing him as one of the brightest young players in Europe and a symbol of Spain’s new generation. His pace, creativity and confidence provided constant problems for the Bulgarian defence, and even though he did not score, his influence was clear.
Beyond the headlines, the win carries deeper significance. The 2026 World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the United States may still seem distant, but qualification campaigns are often decided by consistency in these early fixtures. For Spain, starting strong reduces pressure later on, especially with tougher away matches to come. It also allows De la Fuente more freedom to test new tactical ideas and integrate younger players into the system, building depth in every position.
This blend of short-term goals and long-term vision is what makes Spain so formidable. Unlike previous cycles, where the team occasionally struggled to replace its golden generation, the current squad appears to have struck a balance between experience and youth. Leaders like Rodri anchor the midfield with authority, while creative sparks such as Pedri and Yamal ensure that Spain retain their traditional technical brilliance. Meanwhile, players like Cucurella and Merino, once seen as outsiders, are now making decisive contributions on the international stage.
The unbeaten streak adds another layer of confidence. Reaching or surpassing the all-time record would not just be symbolic; it would underline Spain’s transformation into a team capable of maintaining high levels of performance over years, regardless of circumstances. For rivals like Turkey, the challenge is psychological as much as tactical: facing a squad that simply does not lose official matches.
As Spain now prepare for their clash with Turkey, expectations are high. The match promises to be a tougher examination, but also an opportunity to reinforce their status as Europe’s standard-bearers in this qualification cycle. For De la Fuente, the key will be balancing the physical demands on his players while continuing to instil the hunger that has driven their recent success.
The victory in Sofia, then, was not just another three points. It was a statement of intent, a reminder of Spain’s consistency, and an early step toward a bigger goal: conquering the world stage once again in 2026.
