Spain claimed a historic milestone in Prague on March 3 by extending its unbeaten competitive streak to 44 matches, surpassing Brazil’s long-standing benchmark.
Luis de la Fuente’s side secured a hard-fought victory at the Epet Arena, overcoming a challenging history in the Czech Republic.
Álex Baena’s first-half penalty proved decisive on a cold night in Central European time, handing Spain only its second victory on Czech soil in history.
The triumph followed previous setbacks and draws in the country dating back to 1930, 1936, 1967, 1979, and 1990, alongside draws in 1996 and 2022 and a lone win in 2011.
Victory at Epet Arena
De la Fuente managed his squad through several absences, omitting Valles, Laporte, and Nico Williams due to illness.
The manager also left Lamine Yamal, Rodri, Dani Olmo, and Pedri out of the starting lineup.
Martín Zubimendi anchored the midfield while Fermín López proved active throughout the opening period.
“Coger minutos y sensaciones, que a veces no es fácil venir a la selección jugando pocos minutos,” said Zubimendi, who has experienced limited playing time at Arsenal.
The video assistant referee intervened in the 38th minute when referee Nikola Dabanovic reviewed a handball by Ambros inside the area.
Dabanovic pointed to the spot, allowing Baena to convert his fifth international goal and his first from the penalty spot.
Baena selected himself ahead of Ferran Torres and Fabián Ruiz to take the kick.
“Cuando he visto que tiraba yo me ha sorprendido, pero contento por ayudar al equipo. Estaban en el campo Ferran, Fabián… Cualquiera podía tirar,” said Baena.
The strike marked Baena’s seventh goal of the current campaign, following five for Atlético Madrid and one during the previous international break against England at Wembley.
Record-Breaking Run
The penalty secured Spain’s 12th victory across all matches since a 0-0 draw against Cape Verde at the start of the World Cup.
The team’s last competitive defeat in 90 minutes remains a 2-0 loss against Scotland in March 2023 during European Championship qualifying.
That sequence spans 44 matches and includes triumphs at both the European Championship and the World Cup.
The milestone lifts Spain past Brazil for the longest unbeaten sequence in international football history.
Late drama nearly disrupted the record when the VAR disallowed a potential second goal from Yeremy Pino for offside.
The decision energized the Czech side before Ladislav Krejci received a red card following a VAR review for pulling down Roberto near the penalty area.
Pedro Porro offered somber reflections after the final whistle regarding recent tragedies.
“Quiero dar un abrazo a la familia de Jesús de Miguel y a todas las familias de las víctimas de Urda, fueron momentos muy duros para el aficionado al fútbol y para nosotros también,” said Porro.
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