Spain coach makes World Cup history after semifinal win against France

Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente made history after guiding his team to beat France in the semifinal of the World Cup 2026 on Tuesday

Goals in each half from Mikel Oyarzabal and Pedro Porro secured a 2-0 win against France and qualification for a first World Cup final since 2010. According to Stat Foot, De La Fuente becomes the first coach in history to be unbeaten (13 wins and one draw) after his first 14 matches on the bench in a major tournament with a European national team (EURO + World Cup).

The 65-year-old unbeaten streak stretch back to the 2024 European Championships where Spain won all their seven fixtures and have already won six and drawn one of their 2026 World Cup matches.

De la Fuente have the chance to extend the unbeaten run in the World Cup final against Argentina or England on Sunday. His first managerial job was at Portugalete, in the regional leagues. In summer 2000, he was appointed at Segunda División B club Aurrerá de Vitoria, but was sacked in March of the following year in spite of a seventh place in the table.

After a spell back at Sevilla (academy), De la Fuente returned to Athletic. Initially a manager of the youths and the reserves, he also acted as match delegate for two years before returning to his previous duties. On 13 July 2011, De la Fuente was named Alavés coach, being dismissed on 17 October.

De la Fuente began working in the Spanish youth teams in 2013, managing the under-19 team to victory in the 2015 European Championship and the under-21 side to the 2019 equivalent. He coached the Olympic team to the silver medal at the 2020 games, and took over at the seniors in 2022, winning the 2023 Nations League and Euro 2024.