Spain has not lost a competitive international match (excluding penalty shootouts) since a 2-0 defeat to Scotland in European Championship qualifying in March 2023.

Since then, it has gone unbeaten in 28 matches, lifting the European Championship title along the way.

If it avoids defeat against Bulgaria on Wednesday, it will equal the record set by Vicente del Bosque's Spain between 2010 and 2013.

Spain cannot seal its place in next year's World Cup in October, but having won all three of its games in qualifying so far, it will take a big step towards the finals with a victory in Valladolid.

Asked how the loss to Scotland influenced La Roja's impressive run, De la Fuente said: "It was a tough experience, but it made us better and stronger.

"And from an idea, we've been building a structure. Sometimes a wall fails. Well, it's replaced. Sometimes, life's setbacks allow you to regain momentum."

However, De la Fuente also played down the likeness of his side to Del Bosque's and noted that his main aim is to keep Spain improving.

"We're different teams at different times. It's not easy to maintain these records," he said.

"I've never spoken to the group about what a victory [on Tuesday] means, because what we're concerned with is qualifying for the World Cup. But our work has always been based on taking it step by step, match by match.

"Every competition we've had to compete in. And this remains our mentality. We want to keep improving; it's the leitmotif of this group, and we want to be better."

Spain will be without Ferran Torres for the match against Bulgaria, with the forward returning to Barcelona after suffering discomfort in his hamstring.

De la Fuente confirmed that he had not suffered a serious injury but brushed off the idea that his players prioritise their club over their country.

"There's no injury, just discomfort," he said of Torres. "We need players at 100 perfent, and in this case, Ferran wasn't at his best, which is why he was left out of the squad.

"He's very important for the future. He'll probably be at his best on Wednesday, but he won't be there [on Tuesday].

"Players know that the qualitative leap for players is to make the national team. When they come, their value increases.

"And then, the discomfort and injuries are another matter. When in doubt, the player's health always comes first."