functions.php

<?php

/**
 * Display Posts, span wrapper open
 * @see https://displayposts.com/2019/01/23/display-inline-link-with-most-recent-post/
 */
function be_dps_span_wrapper_open( $wrapper, $atts ) {
	if( !empty( $atts['wrapper'] ) && 'span' == $atts['wrapper'] )
		$wrapper = '<span class="display-posts-listing">';
	return $wrapper;
}
add_filter( 'display_posts_shortcode_wrapper_open', 'be_dps_span_wrapper_open', 10, 2 );

/**
 * Display Posts, pan wrapper close
 * @see https://displayposts.com/2019/01/23/display-inline-link-with-most-recent-post/
 */
function be_dps_span_wrapper_close( $wrapper, $atts ) {
	if( !empty( $atts['wrapper'] ) && 'span' == $atts['wrapper'] )
		$wrapper = '</span>';
	return $wrapper;
}
add_filter( 'display_posts_shortcode_wrapper_close', 'be_dps_span_wrapper_close', 10, 2 );

/**
 * Display Posts, span in output
 * @see https://displayposts.com/2019/01/23/display-inline-link-with-most-recent-post/
 */
function be_dps_span_output( $output, $atts ) {
	if( !empty( $atts['wrapper'] ) && 'span' == $atts['wrapper'] ) {
		$output = str_replace( array( '<div', '<li' ), '<span', $output );
		$output = str_replace( array( '</div>', '</li>' ), '</span>', $output );
	}
	return $output;
}
add_filter( 'display_posts_shortcode_output', 'be_dps_span_output', 10, 2 );