Spain set world record with 38-match unbeaten

Spain made history on the same night they lifted the FIFA World Cup, setting a new world record by being unbeaten in men's international football.

By defeating Argentina 1-0 in the World Cup final, La Roja not only claimed their second world title but also extended their unbeaten streak to 38 consecutive international matches, surpassing the previous record.

Italy had held the record after going 37 matches unbeaten between 2018 and 2021, a run that also included their UEFA Euro 2020 triumph. Spain equalled that mark by defeating France in the World Cup semi-finals before breaking it outright with victory over Argentina in the final.

Spain also set another remarkable milestone during the tournament with one of the finest defensive campaigns in World Cup history. The team kept seven clean sheets and conceded just one goal throughout the competition, becoming the first nation to win the World Cup while allowing only a single goal in the entire tournament.

Long unbeaten streaks are not unfamiliar to Spain. Between 2007 and 2009, the national team went 35 consecutive international matches without defeat, a run that marked the beginning of Spain's golden era and culminated in their UEFA Euro 2008 title.

The current unbeaten run began after a friendly defeat to Colombia in 2024. Since then, Spain have remained unbeaten in both regulation time and extra time. Although they lost to Portugal in a UEFA Nations League final via a penalty shootout, FIFA and official international records classify shootout defeats as draws, meaning the result did not end their unbeaten streak.

Spain's 38-match unbeaten run now includes both their UEFA Euro 2024 triumph and their victorious 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign. After conquering Europe, La Roja have now reached the summit of world football once again while establishing a new benchmark in the international game.