Spain’s 2-0 win over France in the semi-finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup has more than secured a place in Sunday’s final. Luis de la Fuente’s side achieved one of the most celebrated records in international European 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 matches at the FIFA World Cup and UEFA European Championship, underlining the remarkable consistency that has defined the current generation. With the World Cup final still to come, Spain are now one result away from establishing the longest unbeaten run ever recorded by a European men’s national team.
Spain drew with Italy after extending their unbeaten run to 37 matches
Spain’s triumph over France extended their unbeaten run to 37 matches in all competitions, including 28 wins and nine draws.The streak began after a 1-0 friendly defeat to Colombia at London’s Olympic Stadium on March 22, 2024. Since that loss, Spain have gone unbeaten through international friendlies, the UEFA Nations League, UEFA Euro 2024 and now the 2026 FIFA World Cup.The success puts them level with Roberto Mancini’s Italy, whose 37-match unbeaten run between October 2018 and September 2021 stood alone as the longest ever by a European men’s national team.Spain had already reached 36 games without defeat after beating Belgium 2-1 in the quarter-finals of the World Cup, equaling Argentina’s 36-game streak between July 2019 and November 2022 under Lionel Scaloni, a period during which Argentina lifted the Copa América in 2021 and the FIFA World Cup in 2021. of the history of European football.The updated standings now read:
- Italy – 37 games (2018-2021)
- Spain – 37 matches (2024-present)
- Argentina – 36 matches (2019-2022)
If Spain avoid defeat in the World Cup final, they will move away from Italy and become the holders of the longest unbeaten streak by a European nation.
The historic eighth consecutive KO win sets another European record
The semi-final also brought another important success. Spain became the first European nation in history to win eight consecutive knockout stage matches at the FIFA World Cup and UEFA European Championship.Before De la Fuente’s current team, the best streak by a European nation was seven consecutive victories. That record was matched by Italy’s World Cup-winning generation of 1934-38 and Spain’s 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 games.They have continued 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 streak of eight consecutive knockout victories in major international tournaments.No European men’s national team has previously achieved such consistency in the knockout rounds of football’s two biggest competitions.
The latest Spanish triumph reflects the evolution under Luis de la Fuente
The victory over France was another demonstration of the tactical identity that De la Fuente has built since taking charge.While Spain’s legendary sides between 2008 and 2012 became synonymous with patient possession football, the current team has mixed technical control with greater verticality, aggressive pressing and direct attacking play.This balance was evident throughout the World Cup.Against France, Spain took control in the 22nd minute when Mikel Oyarzabal converted a penalty after Lamine Yamal was fouled in the area. Pedro Porro doubled the lead after the break, finishing off a fluid 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 has been equally important throughout this historic run. Ahead of the tournament, Spain produced six consecutive clean sheets, while goalkeeper Unai Simón set a new World Cup record for the longest streak of consecutive minutes without conceding.
One victory away from standing alone
Spain now head to the World Cup finals with 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 knockout games at major tournaments.Their opponent will be decided by the second semi-final between Argentina and England. Should England progress, the final will mark a repeat of the UEFA Euro 2024 match, where Spain defeated the Three Lions to lift the European Championship. If Argentina progress, it will set up a clash between two of the most dominant international sides of the modern era.The victory in the final completes an extraordinary sequence. Not only would Spain win the FIFA World Cup for the second time in their history after their 2010 triumph, but they would also move past Italy to become the sole owner of the longest unbeaten run ever achieved by a European men’s national team.Having already rewritten several chapters of football history under Luis de la Fuente, La Roja is now just one game away.