France vs. Spain: Complete Head-to-Head Record

France and Spain, two of international soccer’s greatest powerhouses, have shared the field many times since their first duel back in 1922.

La Roja were emphatic 4–0 victors in that meeting over a century ago, and won the next three against Les Bleus by an aggregate score of 15–2. Yet, since the Second World War, collisions between these historic foes have been fiercely competitive, with few as one-sided as the aforementioned battles in the 1920s.

There have been many instalments of the rivalry since the turn of the 21st century, with momentum toing and froing across the generations. Whether in friendlies or major tournaments, matches have been incredibly difficult to predict, such is the unquestionable quality both nations have possessed in recent times.

Here’s the complete head-to-head history between the two countries.

The Last Time France and Spain Faced Off

Pedro Porro — Spain defeated Les Bleus en route to the World Cup trophy. | Paul ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images

The 2026 World Cup hosted the most recent collision between France and Spain. The neighbors locked horns at the semifinal stage of the competition in North America as the former’s tantalizing offense came up against the latter’s impenetrable rearguard for a place in the showpiece event.

France was considered the favorite by many as Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé and Michael Olise patrolled the final third menacingly, but it was Spain’s watertight defense which won the war.

Les Bleus, who had scored 16 times in their previous six World Cup matches, mustered just 0.31 expected goals in Dallas. Spain completely nullified them and showcased its clinical edge at the other end of the field.

A first-half penalty gave it an advantage to hold, before a slick team move ended at the feet of Pedro Porro in the 58th minute. The right back showed supreme composure to slot beyond Mike Maignan and book Spain’s place in the final en route to the trophy.

France vs. Spain at the World Cup

Zinedine Zidane, Carles Puyol — The nations had met just once the World Cup before their 2026 clash. | EMPICS Sport/PA Images/Getty Images

Spain and France have competed at 17 and 16 World Cups, respectively, yet the 2026 semifinal clash was just their second meeting in the tournament’s history.

The first also arrived in the knockout stages when an emerging Spanish team came face-to-face with Zinedine Zidane and Co. in the round of 16 at the 2006 World Cup.

La Roja cruised to top spot in Group H, while France struggled its way to five points and second-place in Group G. That set up a tantalizing duel between new and old in Hanover, with plenty expecting Zidane’s farewell tour to endure an anticlimactic conclusion.

Instead, Les Bleus overcame their group stage issues and roared to a come-from-behind victory. David Villa’s first-half penalty was cancelled out by Franck Ribery’s cool finish after rounding Iker Casillas, then France moved through the gears late on to seal victory. After Patrick Vieira headed home Zidane’s deflected free kick, the tournament’s protagonist added a third for Les Bleus in stoppage time with an emphatic finish.

La Roja Edge Near 100-Year Rivalry

Dani Olmo — Spain defeated France on its way to Euro 2024 glory. | Alex Livesey/Getty Images

It wasn’t until the 1984 European Championship final when France and Spain first met in a competitive fixture.

The neighbors had sought to promote soccer in their respective nations by arranging regular friendlies against one another, with Spain outclassing France in seven of the first eight meetings—and that includes an 8–1 triumph in April 1929.

The Second World War established tension on the Peninsula, although cordial relations re-emerged in peacetime. Spain continued to enjoy much of the rivalry up until a Michel Platini-inspired France cruised to victory on home soil at the Euros in ’84. Les Bleus beat Spain 2–0 in the final, with Platini opening the scoring.

La Roja then went 17 years without a victory over France, ending that drought with a 2–1 friendly win in 2001. It has since won seven of its 11 meetings, including victories at Euro 2012 and 2024.

In 2021, Les Bleus beat Spain 2–1 to win the UEFA Nations League final.

France vs. Spain: Complete Head-to-Head Record

Matches Played: 39
Spain Wins: 19
France Wins: 13
Draws: 7

Top Goalscorers in France vs. Spain

Player	Nation	Goals
Gaspar Rubio	Spain	4
Lamine Yamal	Spain	3
Piru Gaínza	Spain	3
Estanislao Basora	Spain	3
Pirri	Spain	3

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