Key Takeaways:
- On their path to the World Cup final, Spain defeated France 2-0 in the semi-final
- Spain’s head coach, Luis de la Fuente, has extended his unbeaten streak in World Cups and European Championships to 14 matches
- De la Fuente is the first coach of a European national team to avoid defeat in his initial 14 tournament fixtures at the World Cup and European Championship
Spain’s Impressive Triumph over France
Spain progressed to the World Cup final following a commanding 2-0 victory over France in the semi-finals. This result not only secured the nation’s place in another major final, but also further highlighted the tactical acumen of head coach Luis de la Fuente.
Luis de la Fuente has gone the most World Cup and UEFA European Championship games without losing of any manager. 🇪🇸 pic.twitter.com/oZ5ioGeA3d
— Football Insider (@footyinsider247) July 14, 2026
De la Fuente’s Unbeaten Streak by the Numbers
Since taking charge, the 65-year-old manager has led La Roja to remarkable heights, capturing the Euro 2024 title and guiding the squad to the final of World Cup 2026. Across these two tournaments, Spain have registered 13 wins and just a single draw under his leadership.
Historical Context Among European Managers
This run means Luis de la Fuente becomes the first-ever European national team manager to go unbeaten in his opening 14 matches at major World Cup and European Championship finals. Previously, Aimé Jacquet of France and Louis van Gaal of the Netherlands jointly held the record with 12 unbeaten matches in such competitions. According to official records, matches resolved by penalty shootouts are recognised as draws in this context.
