World Cup 2026: Spain Coach Makes History After Semifinal Win Against France
Retold by Oddsrama · 15 July 2026
Luis de la Fuente has etched his name into World Cup history after steering Spain to a commanding 2-0 semifinal victory over France on Tuesday. Goals from Mikel Oyarzabal and Pedro Porro in either half sent La Roja through to their first final since 2010, but the real story here is the Spaniard's extraordinary unbeaten run. According to Stat Foot, De la Fuente is now the first coach ever to remain unbeaten through his opening 14 matches in a major tournament with a European national team — that's 13 wins and a draw across EURO and World Cup football combined.
The 65-year-old's dominance stretches back to Euro 2024, where Spain swept all seven matches without dropping a single point. Fast forward to Qatar 2026, and his team has picked up exactly where they left off: six wins and one draw from their opening fixtures. That undefeated record puts them in a powerful psychological position heading into Sunday's final, where they'll face either Argentina or England. If the form holds, De la Fuente could become only the second coach to win back-to-back tournaments at this level.
What makes this achievement even more striking is the journey De la Fuente took to reach the summit. From humble beginnings coaching lower Spanish divisions to steering youth squads through competitive youth championships, he built an impressive CV before taking the senior job in 2022. He won the Nations League and Euro 2024, and now has a genuine shot at World Cup glory. For betting purposes, Spain's relentless run and tactical mastery under his guidance make them formidable favourites for the final, regardless of opposition. De la Fuente's track record suggests they'll be hard to break down.
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