Arlington: Spain has officially etched its name into the history books, equalling the world record of 37 consecutive unbeaten matches following their commanding 2-0 victory over France in the FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-final.

A Historic Milestone

By overcoming France at Dallas Stadium, Spain reached the 37-game mark, matching the legendary unbeaten streak set by Italy between 2018 and 2021. This monumental achievement confirms La Roja's current standing as one of the most consistent teams in international football history, a period of dominance that has now spanned over two years of competitive fixtures.

The journey to this record began following a defeat to Colombia in March 2024, after which the Spanish side embarked on an extraordinary run, refusing to lose in any competitive match. Throughout this period, Spain has combined tactical discipline with a relentless high-pressing style, a hallmark of manager Luis de la Fuente’s tenure.

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The Path to the Record

Spain’s march toward the record has been defined by composure under pressure. The team first captured national attention by breaking their own long-standing internal record earlier in the tournament, before equalling Argentina’s 36-game streak after a tense 2-1 quarter-final victory over Belgium.

The semi-final against France—a team that had itself been formidable throughout the tournament—served as the ultimate test of Spain's record-breaking credentials. A first-half penalty from Mikel Oyarzabal and a clinical second-half finish from Pedro Porro ensured a 2-0 win, effectively securing Spain's place in their second-ever World Cup final.

Italy’s Benchmark

Italy’s original world record of 37 games, achieved under Roberto Mancini, had stood as a pinnacle of international consistency since it was halted by Spain in the 2021 Nations League semi-final. By matching this feat, Spain now stands at the precipice of footballing immortality.

As Spain turns its attention to the upcoming World Cup final, the team has the opportunity to go one step further and claim the outright world record, a fitting backdrop for what is already a historic campaign. Having navigated the tournament with a defence that has been near-impenetrable, La Roja remains the team to beat as they hunt for their second world title.