New Delhi: Spain moved within one victory of creating international football history after defeating France 2-0 in the FIFA World Cup 2026 semifinal, extending their unbeaten run to 37 matches and equalling Italy’s all time record.
The impressive victory secured Spain a place in the World Cup final and matched the unbeaten streak achieved by Italy between 2018 and 2021. La Roja now have the opportunity to become the first men’s national team to reach 38 consecutive matches without defeat if they win the final on Sunday.
Spain’s remarkable run has produced 28 wins and nine draws since their last defeat, a 1-0 friendly loss to Colombia in London in March 2024. Since then, the team has remained unbeaten across international friendlies, the UEFA Nations League, Euro 2024, and the ongoing FIFA World Cup campaign.
The semifinal triumph over France also saw Spain achieve another historic milestone. They became the first European nation to record eight consecutive knockout stage victories across the FIFA World Cup and UEFA European Championship, surpassing the previous record of seven. That mark had been jointly held by Italy’s World Cup winning side of the 1930s and Spain’s celebrated generation that dominated international football between 2008 and 2012.
The latest achievement underlines Spain’s consistency on the biggest stage, with the team combining defensive solidity and attacking quality throughout the tournament. Their disciplined display against France ensured they booked a place in the final while continuing one of the greatest unbeaten runs in international football history.
The current rankings for the longest unbeaten streaks in men’s international football now see Italy and Spain level on 37 matches, followed by Argentina with 36 consecutive games without defeat between 2019 and 2022.
Spain will now face the winner of the second semifinal between England and Argentina, with the chance to lift the World Cup and stand alone as the team with the longest unbeaten run in international football.
