Spain and France will meet on Tuesday at AT&T Stadium in Dallas for a place in the World Cup final. The match brings together two European powers whose rivalry has grown through a recent series of encounters with trophies and elimination at stake.
The overall record favours Spain. Across 38 matches, La Roja have earned 18 wins, France have won 13 times and the other seven games ended in draws. Spain’s numerical advantage is clear, although it does not fully explain the weight of this matchup.
France built much of their authority in decisive games. They won the Euro 1984 final 2-0, claimed the 2021 Nations League final 2-1 and prevailed 3-1 in the round of 16 at the 2006 World Cup in Germany, the teams’ only previous World Cup knockout meeting.
The most recent cycle, however, has shifted the trend. Spain beat France 2-1 in the Euro 2024 semifinal and defeated them again in the 2025 Nations League semifinal, this time in a remarkable 5-4 contest.
Their last five meetings reflect that changing balance: France won a 2014 friendly 1-0, Spain answered with a 2-0 friendly victory in 2017, and three high-stakes competitive matches followed, producing one French win and two Spanish victories.
The Dallas semifinal therefore arrives without an undisputed favourite. Spain are backed by their recent results, while France can rely on a strong historical record in pressure matches. The winner will advance to the final and keep alive the chance of finishing the tournament as champion.
