One win away from football immortality: Spain match ‘untouchable’ European record after victory over France | Football News
Spain’s 2-0 win over France in the 2026 FIFA World Cup semi-final secured more than a place in Sunday’s final. Luis de la Fuente’s side equaled one of the most famous records in European international football, extending their unbeaten run to 37 games in all competitions and equaling Italy’s all-time continental record. Victory in Dallas also saw La Roja become the first European nation to win eight consecutive knockout matches at the FIFA World Cup and UEFA European Championship, highlighting the incredible consistency that defines the current generation. With the World Cup final still to come, Spain is one result away from establishing the longest unbeaten run ever recorded by a European men’s national team.
Spain drew level with Italy after extending their unbeaten streak to 37 games
Spain’s victory over France extended their unbeaten run to 37 games in all competitions, consisting of 28 wins and nine draws.The streak began after a 1-0 friendly loss to Colombia at the Olympic Stadium in London on March 22, 2024. Since that defeat, Spain has gone unbeaten through international friendlies, the UEFA Nations League, UEFA Euro 2024 and now the 2026 FIFA World Cup.The achievement puts them level with Roberto Mancini’s Italy, whose 37-match unbeaten run between October 2018 and September 2021 stands alone as the longest by a European men’s national team.Spain have now reached 36 games without defeat after they beat Belgium 2-1 in the quarter-finals of the World Cup, matching Argentina’s run of 36 games between July 2019 and November 2022 under Lionel Scaloni, a period in which Argentina qualified for the Copa América in 2021 and the FIFA World Cup in 2022.The updated standings now read:
- Italy – 37 games (2018–2021)
- Spain – 37 matches (2024–present)
- Argentina – 36 games (2019–2022)
If Spain avoid defeat in the World Cup final, they will move past Italy and become the holders of the longest unbeaten streak by a European country.
The historic eighth consecutive knockout victory set another European record
The semi-final also delivered another remarkable achievement. Spain became the first European country in history to win eight consecutive knockout-stage matches across the FIFA World Cup and UEFA European Championship.Before De la Fuente’s current side, the best streak by a European country stood at seven consecutive knockout victories. That record was jointly held by Italy’s 1934-38 World Cup-winning generation and Spain’s own golden era between 2008 and 2012.The current run began during UEFA Euro 2024, when Spain defeated Georgia in the Round of 16, Germany in the quarter-finals, France in the semi-finals and England in the final to lift the European Championship with a perfect seven wins from seven matches.They relentlessly carried that momentum into the World Cup, adding victories over Austria in the Round of 32, Portugal in the Round of 16, Belgium in the quarter-finals and now France in the semi-finals to complete an unprecedented run of eight consecutive knockout victories at major international tournaments.No European men’s national side has previously achieved such consistency in the knockout rounds of two major football competitions.
Spain’s latest win shows evolution under Luis de la Fuente
The victory against France was another demonstration of the tactical identity that De la Fuente has established since the leadership.While Spain’s legendary sides between 2008 and 2012 became synonymous with patient possession football, the current squad mixes technical control with greater verticality, aggressive pressing and direct attacking play.That balance can be seen throughout the World Cup.Against France, Spain took control in the 22nd minute when Mikel Oyarzabal converted a penalty after Lamine Yamal was fouled inside the area. Pedro Porro doubled the advantage after the interval, finishing off a running move involving Dani Olmo before Spain comfortably managed the rest of the contest to book their place in the final.
Spain fans cheer before the World Cup semifinal soccer match between France and Spain in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Tuesday, July 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
The defensive organization was equally important throughout this historic run. Earlier in the tournament, Spain made six consecutive clean sheets, while goalkeeper Unai Simón set a new World Cup record for the longest consecutive minutes without conceding.
A victory from standing alone
Spain is now heading into the World Cup final carrying unprecedented momentum.They equaled Italy’s all-time European unbeaten record, surpassed Argentina’s modern international streak and became the first European nation to win eight consecutive knockout matches at major tournaments.Their opponent will be decided in the second semi-final between Argentina and England. If England progress, the final will mark a return to the UEFA Euro 2024 showpiece, where Spain defeated the Three Lions to lift the European Championship. If Argentina advance, it will set up a clash between two of the most dominant international sides of the modern era.A win in the final would complete an incredible streak. Not only will Spain lift the FIFA World Cup for the second time in their history after their victory in 2010, but they will also move past Italy to become the sole owner of the longest unbeaten run achieved by a European men’s national team.After rewriting several chapters of football history under Luis de la Fuente, La Roja is one game away from standing alone.
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