France and Spain will renew one of international football’s biggest rivalries when they meet in Tuesday’s FIFA World Cup semi-final. France are aiming to reach a third straight World Cup final, while Spain hope to add the World Cup title to their Euro 2024 triumph.
Here are five memorable matches between the two teams:
France win first major trophy
Euro 1984 Final: France 2-0 Spain
France and Spain met for the first time in a competitive match in the Euro 1984 final in Paris.
Michel Platini was the star of the tournament and he gave France the lead with a free-kick that slipped through the hands of Spain goalkeeper Luis Arconada. It was Platini’s ninth goal in just five matches.
Despite finishing the game with 10 men after Yvon Le Roux was sent off, France sealed the win when Bruno Bellone scored late on to hand the hosts their first major international trophy.
Zidane inspires France comeback
2006 FIFA World Cup Round of 16: Spain 1-3 France
The teams met for the first time at a World Cup in the 2006 Round of 16 in Germany.
Spain started brightly and took the lead through a David Villa penalty. But France fought back, with Franck Ribery equalising before half-time.
Patrick Vieira then put France ahead before Zinedine Zidane wrapped up the victory late in the game.
France went on to reach the final before losing to Italy on penalties, while Spain bounced back from that disappointment by winning Euro 2008, the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012.
Mbappe delivers Nations League glory
2021 UEFA Nations League Final: Spain 1-2 France
Spain looked set for victory when Mikel Oyarzabal scored in the second half.
However, Karim Benzema quickly levelled the score after being set up by Kylian Mbappe.
Mbappe then scored the winning goal as France lifted the UEFA Nations League trophy under Didier Deschamps.
Yamal announces himself
Euro 2024 Semi-final: Spain 2-1 France
Lamine Yamal produced one of the moments of Euro 2024 when he scored a stunning long-range goal against France just four days before his 17th birthday.
France had taken the lead through Randal Kolo Muani, but Yamal’s brilliant strike changed the momentum.
Dani Olmo scored the winner soon after as Spain booked their place in the final, where they went on to beat England and lift the European Championship trophy.
Nine-goal thriller
2025 UEFA Nations League Semi-final: Spain 5-4 France
The last meeting between the two teams produced one of the most entertaining games in recent memory.
Spain raced to a 4-0 lead through Nico Williams, Mikel Merino, Lamine Yamal and Pedri.
Mbappe pulled one back from the penalty spot, but Yamal scored again to make it 5-1.
France almost completed an incredible comeback as Rayan Cherki, an own goal from Dani Vivian and a late strike from Randal Kolo Muani reduced the gap, but Spain held on for a thrilling 5-4 victory.
Spain eventually lost the Nations League final to Portugal on penalties, but their dramatic win over France remains one of the standout matches between the two football giants.
