Kathmandu: A place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final is at stake when Spain and France meet in the semi final. It is the newest chapter in a rivalry that has gone Spain’s way in recent years.

Spain has beaten France in each of their last three matches. The most recent was a thrilling 5-4 win in the 2025 UEFA Nations League semi final.

Before that came an unforgettable EURO 2024 semi final where Spain came from behind. Sixteen year old Lamine Yamal scored a stunning goal becoming the youngest scorer in European Championship history. Dani Olmo then scored the winner that sent Spain through and they went on to win the whole tournament.

The rivalry itself goes back more than 100 years. Spain and France first played each other on 30 April 1922 in Bordeaux where Spain won 4-0.

That was the start of an early period of Spanish dominance with more wins in 1923, 1927 and 1929. Over the years, the fixture grew into one of international football’s biggest rivalries, played out again and again at major tournaments.

Spain has had other big wins too. At EURO 2012, goals from Xabi Alonso’ who was playing his 100th international match, gave Spain a 2-0 win in the quarterfinal.

That win put them on the path to a third straight major title. In 2013, a single goal from Pedro Rodriguez was enough to beat France in Paris during World Cup qualifying.

France has had its own big moments as well. Les Bleus beat Spain in the EURO 1984 final and again in the 2021 Nations League final winning by the smallest margin.

Their only previous World Cup meeting was in 2006 when Zinedine Zidane helped France come from behind to win 3-1 in the Round of 16.

Overall, Spain leads the head to head record with 18 wins from 38 matches while France has won 13 with seven draws. Now, two former World Cup, European Championship and Nations League winners face off again, this time with a spot in the World Cup final on the line.