Kylian Mbappé's incredible unbeaten run at the FIFA World Cup finally came to an end after Spain defeated France 2-0 in the semifinal on Tuesday. The result not only ended France’s hopes of reaching a third consecutive World Cup final but also brought an end to one of the most remarkable records in tournament history.
Spain Ends France’s World Cup Journey
Spain produced a disciplined and clinical performance in Dallas to book their place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final. Mikel Oyarzabal opened the scoring in the first half before Pedro Porro added a second after the break, leaving Didier Deschamps’ side with no way back.
France enjoyed periods of possession and created several chances, but Spain’s organised defence and efficient finishing proved decisive. The victory sends La Roja into the final, while France’s bid for back-to-back titles and a third straight final appearance came to a disappointing end.
Mbappé's Incredible Record Finally Ends
The defeat was particularly significant for Mbappe. It marked the first time in his career that he started and lost a World Cup match, ending an extraordinary run that lasted 19 starts across three editions of the tournament.
France's defeat to Tunisia during the 2022 World Cup does not count toward that record because Mbappe came off the bench in that game. Similarly, Les Bleus’ loss to Argentina in the 2022 final is not considered a defeat under FIFA and UEFA regulations, as penalty shootout losses are not included while determining unbeaten runs for international sides.
As a result, Spain became the first team ever to beat an Mbappé-led France side in a World Cup match that he started.
Another Historic Milestone for Mbappe
Despite the heartbreak, Mbappe still made history on the night. The Real Madrid superstar made his 21st World Cup appearance, surpassing Hugo Lloris' record of 20 matches to become France's all-time appearance leader at the tournament.
At just 27 years old, the forward continues to rewrite the World Cup record books and has already established himself as one of the competition's greatest-ever performers.
A Legendary World Cup Legacy Continues
Although the semifinal defeat will sting, it should not overshadow another outstanding World Cup campaign from Mbappe. The French captain broke numerous records during the tournament and once again showcased why he is among the game's biggest stars.
With potentially one or even two more World Cups still ahead of him, Mbappe has every chance of extending his remarkable numbers. From a purely statistical perspective, he is increasingly looking like the player most likely to finish his career as the greatest performer in FIFA World Cup history.
