37 games unbeaten and a record that sends shivers: Spain face the hardest France to beat in history
Spain and France meet in Dallas in the 2026 World Cup semi-final. 37 unbeaten games, Mbappé, Yamal and a head-to-head record that sends shivers. Who goes to the final?
Thirty-seven games. That is Spain's unbeaten run in official competition, arriving intact at the World Cup semi-final at AT&T Stadium in Dallas. On the other side, a France side that, according to Marca, has only been knocked out at the elimination stage by Germany since 1958. Someone's unbeaten record ends tonight.
The clash is a rematch of the European classic that set Euro 2024 alight. But the stakes are higher now: a place in the World Cup final. Mbappé on one side, Lamine Yamal on the other — the 2026 World Cup has chosen its protagonists for this night.
Spain arrive with one small detail that could weigh on them: they have had one fewer rest day than the French, plus greater logistical fatigue, according to Marca. Luis de la Fuente is counting on the Cubarsí–Laporte centre-back partnership to shackle the pace of Mbappé and Dembélé, and is banking on his Olympic champions to keep the energy going forward.
The clash of styles is the perfect seasoning: Spain's possession game and midfield dominance against the physical, defensive block that Didier Deschamps has built throughout the tournament.
Golmetria's model sees Spain as favourites for the title, with a 35% chance of lifting the trophy — more than double the 13.5% assigned to France.
The 2010 champions were brought together by the RFEF to back the national team. "Volveremos a estar en la final del Mundial," they said, according to Marca. Spanish fans believe it. France have more than enough arguments to disagree.
One of the weightiest semi-finals in recent World Cup history. Whoever advances to the final carries with them one of the greatest generations in European football. Whoever goes out carries an elimination that will sting for years.