Spain equal Italy’s unbeaten record with semi-final victory over France

Spain manager Luis de la Fuente has declared that his squad has recaptured the spirit of their 2010 World Cup triumph following a commanding 2-0 semi-final victory over France. The result, secured at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Tuesday, 14 July 2026, sends Spain into the final where they are one win away from a second world title.

The victory extends Spain’s unbeaten run to 37 consecutive matches, equaling Italy’s long-standing record. De la Fuente attributed the team’s success to a culture of humility, solidarity, and a distinct lack of egos. He noted that the squad’s cohesion was evident even after the final whistle, with non-playing members staying behind to continue training sessions.

Spain effectively neutralised a French attack that had scored 16 goals prior to the semi-final. Spearheaded by Kylian Mbappé, the French side had been regarded as one of the tournament’s most dangerous offensive units and entered the match as pre-tournament favourites. However, France failed to register a shot on target until after the 80th minute, missing the opportunity to reach a third consecutive final.

De la Fuente praised the tactical discipline and attitude of his players, stating that the team made difficult tasks look easy. He emphasised that the squad’s strength lay in their shared purpose and the absence of individual ambition overshadowing the collective goal. "We are ordinary, generous people who seek the common good before our own individual interests," he said during a news conference.

Spain, the reigning European champions from Euro 2024, have now defeated France in three consecutive high-stakes encounters, including the 2024 final and the 2025 UEFA Nations League semi-finals. Goals from Mikel Oyarzabal and Pedro Porro secured the win, setting up a final in New Jersey on Sunday against either Argentina or England.

While expressing a personal preference to face Argentina due to his close friendship with manager Lionel Scaloni, De la Fuente praised England as well, describing their semi-final as a match that "could easily be the World Cup final." He maintained that the team still has room to grow, describing the journey as a "labour of love" that has reached a crucial moment in the best possible shape.

De la Fuente concluded that the upcoming final was an opportunity to be enjoyed rather than merely won, calling it the "icing on the cake" for a tournament campaign defined by tactical rigour and collective unity.