When joined the Spanish national team’s coaching staff in 2013, it was hard to imagine just how pivotal semi-final clashes against France would become during his tenure.
Including Spain’s upcoming semi-final match , the Spain manager will have faced France six times in the semi-finals throughout his career: twice with the Under-19s, once with the Under-21s and three times with the senior side.
His record against Les Bleus in semi-finals — four wins and one defeat — will fill La Roja fans with confidence ahead of the all-European clash in Dallas. De la Fuente’s sole defeat against France came in his debut match against them; since then, it seems he has mastered how to overcome Spain's European neighbour.
De la Fuente’s first clash with France came early on in his tenure with the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF). The man from La Rioja took charge of the Under-19 squad on 1 May 2013 on a three-month contract that covered the UEFA European Under-19 Championship.
By 29 July, he was leading his side out against Les Bleus in the semi-final. The French side, featuring Adrien Rabiot, Aymeric Laporte (now a Spanish international), Anthony Martial and Yassine Benzia, beat Spain 2–1 in extra time in Lithuania thanks to a goal from Antoine Conte in the 105th minute. France would go on to lose the final against Serbia.
Spain and France would meet each other once again in Greece two years later. It would prove an auspicious tournament for De la Fuente, as La Roja’s Under-19 side won the title. In the semi-final, it was future Real Madrid star Marco Asensio who made the difference. The winger scored twice in the second half to send a Spain side including current internationals Rodri, Mikel Merino and Unai Simon into the final.
It took four years for Spain and France to meet again in the final four and it would be the last one at youth level with Luis de la Fuente in charge. Spain thrashed France, although it was current France international Jean-Philippe Mateta who opened the scoring. Spain fought back in the first half thanks to goals from Marc Roca and Mikel Oyarzabal, the team's current top scorer at the FIFA World Cup 2026.
Early in the second half, Dani Olmo made it 3-1 before Borja Mayoral sealed the victory. Both sides were full of players who will face of in Dallas. Fabian Ruiz started that day for Spain while Dayot Upamecano and Ibrahima Konate marshalled the backline for France. Spain went on to win the tournament, defeating Germany in the final thanks to goals from Olmo and Fabian Ruiz.
De la Fuente took charge of Spain’s senior side in December 2022 and has since faced France twice in tournament semi-finals. The first was at EURO 2024 in Munich. Spain overcame an early goal from Randal Kolo Muani to seal a come-from-behind victory, just as they had in 2019. Stunning goals from teenage sensation Lamine Yamal and playmaker Dani Olmo turned the match in La Roja’s favour, and De la Fuente’s side rode that momentum to claim victory over England in the final.
The most recent encounter between the two sides and the last of Luis de la Fuente’s five semi-finals to date was a memorable clash in Stuttgart. Spain were leading 4–0 by the 55th minute (Nico Williams, Mikel Merino, Lamine Yamal and Pedri), before Kylian Mbappe pulled one back from the penalty spot (59'), Lamine Yamal scored his second to make it 5–1 in the 67th minute, and France pushed hard, almost equalising thanks to goals from Rayan Cherki (79'), an own goal by Dani Vivian (84') and Kolo Muani (90+3'). Spain won the day but lost the final on penalties to Portugal.
On 14 July, Luis de la Fuente will lead Spain out against France in a semi-final for the sixth time. As : "There are two possibilities: either they reach three World Cup finals in a row, or we beat them three times in a row.” A cracking match is in the offing.
Sources: FIFA Official
