Lamine Yamal believes Spain head into their blockbuster FIFA World Cup semi-final against France with nothing to fear, insisting Didier Deschamps’ side should be the ones looking over their shoulders. The teenage sensation made the bold statement after Spain edged Belgium 2-1 in the quarter-finals, setting up a heavyweight showdown with Kylian Mbappe’s France in Dallas on July 14.
Fresh off another Player of the Match display, Yamal admitted this was the fixture everyone had expected when the tournament began.
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“We’re really excited. When the World Cup started, we were all expecting this match. I think we’re the two best teams in the tournament,” Yamal said after Spain booked their place in the final four.
The Barcelona winger also made it clear Spain have no intention of changing their identity against one of the tournament favourites.
“I expect a team that comes at us, but not for the whole match. We’ll play the way we know how,” he added.
Then came the line that will only add more spice to Tuesday’s semi-final.
“I think that if France has to fear anyone, it’s us, as we’re the ones who have knocked them out before.”
The comment refers to Spain’s memorable 2-1 victory over France in the UEFA Euro 2024 semi-final, where a then 16-year-old Yamal announced himself on the biggest stage with a spectacular long-range strike before Dani Olmo completed the comeback. Spain went on to lift the European title, and Yamal believes that recent history gives his side every reason to approach another meeting with confidence.
YAMAL WANTS FRANCE AGAIN
Spain’s belief has only grown during this World Cup. Luis de la Fuente’s side have swept past Austria, Portugal and now Belgium, with Mikel Merino once again proving the hero after climbing off the bench to score a dramatic late winner in the quarter-final.
Yamal, meanwhile, may have just one goal to his name this tournament, but his overall influence has been immense. The teenager leads the World Cup in chances created with 17 and has registered nine shots across Spain’s last two matches, underlining how central he has become to La Roja’s attack.
Individual numbers, however, are the last thing on his mind.
“It doesn’t frustrate me. I won the Euros scoring just one goal. As long as we keep advancing, I’ll be very happy. The team is what matters,” he said.
Asked whether he would like another iconic moment against France, Yamal smiled: “Hopefully I can do it again. I really want to.”
MBAPPE VS YAMAL: THE BIG SEMI-FINAL CLASH
Tuesday’s clash will also pit two of world football’s biggest stars against each other.
Mbappe arrives in sensational form, leading the Golden Boot race alongside Lionel Messi with eight goals and three assists in five matches. Yamal’s statistics tell a different story. While he has found the net only once, he has consistently been Spain’s creative heartbeat, tormenting defenders with his dribbling, movement and vision.
For Yamal, though, reputations will count for little once the whistle blows.
“We have no fear. We have beaten France in the last two games,” he said.
“We’re very happy to be in the semis. We’ve been far superior. All the other teams are behind us. We came here to win, and that’s all that matters.
“They should be afraid of us. We’ve beaten them twice. We’re not afraid of them. I think we’re the two best teams.”
With Spain chasing only their second-ever World Cup final and France aiming for a third straight appearance in the title match, Dallas is set for a contest worthy of a final. And if Yamal’s words are anything to go by, Spain are heading into it believing the pressure belongs entirely to their opponents.
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