De la Fuente outlines pride as Spain achieve record unbeaten run

Luis de la Fuente hailed his "exceptional" Spain squad after La Roja extended their unbeaten run to 30 competitive games, breaking their previous team record.

Vicente del Bosque's Spain team previously went 29 competitive games unbeaten between the 2010 World Cup and the final of the 2013 Confederations Cup.

But De la Fuente's European champions bettered that mark with Saturday's 4-0 win in Georgia, having gone 30 competitive games without defeat since losing 2-0 to Scotland in a Euro 2024 qualifier in March 2023.

Spain have won 25 and drawn five, including a penalty shoot-out victory over the Netherlands in the Nations League quarter-finals, of their last 30 competitive games.

They have suffered one friendly defeat in that time, going down 1-0 to Colombia at the London Stadium in March 2024.

But the scale of Spain's achievement was not lost on their head coach, who said: "I feel admiration and pride in leading an exceptional generation of footballers. 

"Surpassing a record set by an unforgettable group of players is a remarkable achievement. 

"We must continue moving forward, achieving results and progressing toward the exciting objectives ahead.

"Georgia have good players, but they faced an ambitious Spanish team that wanted to play well and win. It is not a reflection on Georgia's quality, but a testament to Spain’s performance."

Spain are now virtually assured of qualification for the 2026 World Cup, as they can only drop out of top spot in Group E if they lose by seven goals against Turkiye in Seville on Tuesday.

But De la Fuente refused to declare the job done, saying: "This team has many virtues, including respect. 

"Until we mathematically secure qualification, we will continue working in the same way. I am happy with the players' efforts, but there is still one more step to go."