Spain and France: An Enduring Rivalry

For more than a century, Spain and France have contested one of international football's great rivalries, pitting two of Europe's most successful national teams against one another on some of the sport's biggest stages.

The first meeting between the two sides took place on 30 April 1922 in Bordeaux and ended in an emphatic 4-0 victory for Spain. That match marked the beginning of a period of Spanish dominance, with further wins in 1923, 1927 and 1929, laying the foundations for the international reputation of Spanish football.

As the decades passed, the rivalry grew in both intensity and significance, becoming a regular fixture in major international tournaments. In recent years, Spain and France have produced some of European football's most memorable and spectacular contests.

The UEFA EURO 2024 semi-final remains one of the defining moments in recent Spanish football history. Spain came from behind thanks to two unforgettable goals: a stunning strike from Lamine Yamal, who became the youngest goalscorer in European Championship history at 16 years and 338 days, followed by Dani Olmo's decisive finish, which sealed Spain's place in the final before they went on to lift the continental title.

Just a year later came another unforgettable encounter. In the 2025 UEFA Nations League semi-final, Spain once again overcame France in a thrilling contest that ended 5-4, further underlining the outstanding form of Luis de la Fuente's side.

Those were not the only Spanish victories in high-stakes meetings. In the UEFA EURO 2012 quarter-finals, Spain defeated France 2-0 thanks to a brace from Xabi Alonso, who celebrated his 100th international appearance in style. That victory propelled Vicente del Bosque's team towards an unprecedented achievement: winning a third consecutive major international title, following UEFA EURO 2008 and the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

A year later, in March 2013, Spain triumphed again on French soil during qualification for the 2014 FIFA World Cup. A solitary goal from Pedro Rodríguez at the Stade de France proved enough to put Spain firmly on course for Brazil.

Like every great rivalry, however, this one has also brought painful moments for Spain. France defeated La Roja in the UEFA EURO 1984 final in Paris and again edged Spain in the 2021 UEFA Nations League final, winning by the narrowest of margins.

The only previous World Cup meeting between the two nations also remains fresh in the memory. In the Round of 16 at the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany, Zinédine Zidane's France came from behind after David Villa's early opener to claim a 3-1 victory.

Now, Spain and France meet once again to write another chapter in a rivalry that spans more than 100 years and now totals 38 meetings, with Spain holding the edge through 18 wins to France's 13, alongside seven draws. Two former World Cup, European Championship and UEFA Nations League winners will battle once more, with a place in the World Cup final—and the chance to continue the pursuit of football's greatest prize—at stake.