Whenever Spain and France are up against each other in a major international tournament, an entertaining high-intensity match is sure to ensue. The two European nations are set for another blockbuster encounter on July 14 at the Dallas Stadium for a place in the World Cup final.
France, the last-time runners-up, are looking to play in their third World Cup final in 8 years, but against them is a controlled possession-based football played by Spain, who won their last and only World Cup in 2010 and are looking to add another one to their tally this time around.
All eyes will be on the rivalry between two completely different heights of world-class talent, France’s star striker Kylian Mbappe and Spain’s young talent Lamine Yamal. Mbappe, who has had a fantastic campaign at the World Cup, has scored 8 goals so far and is tied for the top spot in the race for the Golden Boot with Argentina’s Lionel Messi, while also providing 3 assists in the process. Yamal, on the other hand, has fallen behind in converting goals in this tournament, scoring just one goal, but he has overtaken Mbappe in the dribble completion stats, completing 21 compared to the Frenchman’s 6, the most of any player in the tournament. His elite playmaking metrics make him a standout in this Spanish team.
Last time Spain and France met in the World Cup
Before their meeting in this high-stakes semi-final, Spain and France had only met once before at a World Cup two decades ago, during the 2006 World Cup in Germany.
The game was one of the most interesting of the Round of 16 matches played on 27 June at the HDI Arena, Hannover. France went into the game 3-1 against unbeaten Spain after winning all of their group matches, while an aging French side just crashed out.
France’s Zinedine Zidane won one back in 1998 and announced it before the competition started, which would be his last. “We’re going to retire Zidane”, But the French had other plans.
David Villa opened the scoring in the 28th minute, beating Fabian Barthez to give the Spaniards a 1-0 lead. Les Bleus leveled the game before the break in the 43rd minute thanks to a superb finish by Franck Ribery.
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In the 82nd minute, Spanish defender Carles Puyol collided with Thierry Henry near the touchline. Henry fell to the ground holding his face, which meant he had been hit in the head. Referee Roberto Rossetti awarded France a free kick, which Patrick Vieira scored to give France the lead for the first time. Zidane then had the final say in the 92nd minute when he scored and put the final nail in the coffin. After scoring, Zidane ran towards the corner flag, shouting in joy, showing that he is not done yet and still has more to play, more to achieve.
The game ignited something in the French side, helping them advance to the final.
The last match between Spain and France outside the World Cup
The last time these two top ranked teams met, it was definitely a game for the ages. They contested the UEFA Nations League semi-final on 5 June 2025 at the MHP Arena in Stuttgart, Germany.
European champions Spain defeated France in a nine-goal thriller. The game was a goalfest and Spain came out on top, winning 5-4.
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Spain led 5-1 in the 67th minute thanks to first-half strikes from Nico Williams and Mikel Merino, a second-half strike from Pedri and two goals from teenage sensation Lamine Yamal. France attempted a late comeback with goals from Ryan Cherky, Randall Kolo Muani and Ismael Kone, including a Kylian Mbappe penalty, but fell just short of equalizing and losing.
France vs Spain head to head
The head-to-head record between the two shows that two-time World Cup winners Spain have the upper hand with three wins in the last five meetings.
France v Spain: Last five meetings
| Date | Competition | result |
| 5 June 2025 | UEFA Nations League Semi-Finals | Spain won 5-4 |
| 9 July 2024 | UEFA Euro semi-finals | Spain won 2-1 |
| 10 October 2021 | UEFA Nations League Final | France won 2-1 |
| 28 March 2017 | International friendly | Spain won 2-0 |
| 4 September 2014 | International friendly | France won 1-0 |
Written by Madhav Sachdeva, intern at Online Sports Desk.