France vs Spain - What happened last time they met in semi-final ahead of FIFA World Cup 2026?

Lamine Yamal has got the better of Kylian Mbappe in Spain’s last two wins over France

France and Spain will be taking to the field in the first semi-final clash in the FIFA World Cup 2026. Both nations are former World and European Champions and have been arguably the two best teams in this tournament so far.

While the French side is powered on by individual brilliance, Spain are on top of their passing game. Aside from ball possession, the 2010 World Champions have made a habit of getting late goals to guarantee a result.

La Roja and Les Blues have had two major interactions in semifinals in top European competitions over the last two years. Spain have come on top on both occasions and will be eager to complete a hattrick, this time at the World Stage.

Lets took at France vs Spain’s semi-final encounters from the UEFA Euro 2024 and UEFA Nations League 2025:

Spain 2-1 France – UEFA Euro 2024

As the world was eagerly waiting for kickoff, France went into the semifinal of the UEFA Euro 2024 as the favourites over the Spain national team. Kylian Mbappe and company were coming fresh off their FIFA World Cup 2022 heartbreak in the final, whereas Spain had failed to live up to their expectations in the Euros since winning the competition in 2012.

Having won the UEFA Nations League titles in 2021 and 2023, both France and Spain had tasted silverware recently. While France has more starpower, both nations had talented squads that had lived up to the expectations en route to this all-star clash.

The match started with France taking the initiative as Kolo Muani drew first blood in the 9th minute helping Le Blues go 1-0 up. However, Spain would get stronger after conceding the first goal.

Lamine Yamal and Dani Olmo’s quickfire goals in the 21st and 25th minute helped La Roja go into the break with a 2-1 lead. Les Blues had the better chances and the momentum on their side in the second half, however, they failed to find their decisive equalizer.

The game ended 2-1 in favour of the Spaniards as they marched on to the final. Spain would eventually go to the final and win against England to become the Champions of Europe for the fourth time.

Spain 5-4 France – UEFA Nations League 2025

Less than a year after their UEFA Euro 2024 semifinal clash, France and Spain were on opposing ends once again, this time in the semifinal of the UEFA Nations League 2025 tournament.

Playing at the MHPArena in Stuttgart, the build-up to this game was around the individual brilliance that both sides possessed in attack. The French national team had the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele, and Michael Olise whereas Spain boasted their Euro-winning trio of Lamine Yamal, Nico Williams, and Mikel Oyarzabal.

However, unlike most knockout games where sides try to stay back and not make mistakes, France vs Spain did not disappoint. Both sides delivered an attacking masterclass, playing out a game for the ages.

Spain struck through Nico Williams and Mikel Merino in the first half to go into the break with a 2-0 lead. Lamine Yamal would then score a penalty in the 54th minute before Pedri scored in the 55th minute to get Spain a 4-0 lead.

Kylian Mbappe got a goal in the 59th minute before Yamal completed his brace eight minutes later to make it 5-1 to Spain. With 20 or so minutes to go, the game looked dead and buried, but France decided to show their hunger and attacking depth.

Substitute Rayan Cherki scored in the 79th minute before Spain scored an own goal five minutes later. Kolo Muani would then score a late goal in the 90+3rd minute to make the score 5-4. Though France failed to equalize, they were unstoppable once they gained momentum in the last 10-minutes.

Spain would eventually go on to lose the UEFA Nations League 2025 final to Portugal on penalties and they have not lost a game since. France on the other hand have just lost a friendly to Ivory Coast since their 5-4 loss to Spain last year.

Both sides go into this FIFA World Cup 2026 semifinal on top form. Who do you think will have the edge this time around?

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