INGLEWOOD — Spain star Lamine Yamal believes France should be wary of La Roja as the European heavyweights prepare to meet in a blockbuster World Cup semifinal on Tuesday.”I believe if France has to fear anyone, it should be us,” the teenage forward said after Spain’s 2-1 victory over Belgium secured its first World Cup semifinal appearance since 2010.”We don’t fear anyone. It’s clear that we are two great teams, world-class national teams, and for me they are one of the best. We’ll see what happens.”Spain will face France in Arlington, Texas, with a place in the World Cup final at stake. The Spaniards hold recent bragging rights, having defeated Les Bleus in the semifinals of UEFA Euro 2024 before beating them again in the UEFA Nations League last year.Yamal, who became the youngest scorer in European Championship history during Euro 2024, was named player of the match against Belgium despite recording just one goal and no assists in the tournament so far.The Barcelona winger dismissed concerns over his personal statistics, pointing out that he also scored only once while helping Spain win the European Championship.”My numbers don’t bother me,” Yamal said, noting that his contributions extend beyond goals.Spain needed late winners in both its quarterfinal and Round of 16 victories, but coach Luis de la Fuente insisted his side remains focused on lifting the trophy.”Let me be clear: We are not finished,” De la Fuente said. “We are pleased to be in the semifinals, but we want more. We are capable of winning this game.”Spain has conceded just one goal throughout the tournament and is unbeaten in 37 consecutive competitive matches since March 2023.France, meanwhile, has been one of the tournament’s most prolific teams, scoring 16 goals in six matches while reaching a third consecutive World Cup semifinal.Yamal believes Spain’s ability to dominate possession could prove decisive against Didier Deschamps’ side.”It seems like we’re playing very beautiful football, but in reality, there isn’t a team that plays against us on equal footing,” he said. “Everyone drops back, and that makes it more difficult. But in the end, we secured the win.”The winner of Tuesday’s semifinal will advance to the World Cup final.
INGLEWOOD — Spain star Lamine Yamal believes France should be wary of La Roja as the European heavyweights prepare to meet in a blockbuster World Cup semifinal on Tuesday.”I believe if France has to fear anyone, it should be us,” the teenage forward said after Spain’s 2-1 victory over Belgium secured its first World Cup semifinal appearance since 2010.”We don’t fear anyone. It’s clear that we are two great teams, world-class national teams, and for me they are one of the best. We’ll see what happens.”Spain will face France in Arlington, Texas, with a place in the World Cup final at stake. The Spaniards hold recent bragging rights, having defeated Les Bleus in the semifinals of UEFA Euro 2024 before beating them again in the UEFA Nations League last year.Yamal, who became the youngest scorer in European Championship history during Euro 2024, was named player of the match against Belgium despite recording just one goal and no assists in the tournament so far.The Barcelona winger dismissed concerns over his personal statistics, pointing out that he also scored only once while helping Spain win the European Championship.”My numbers don’t bother me,” Yamal said, noting that his contributions extend beyond goals.Spain needed late winners in both its quarterfinal and Round of 16 victories, but coach Luis de la Fuente insisted his side remains focused on lifting the trophy.”Let me be clear: We are not finished,” De la Fuente said. “We are pleased to be in the semifinals, but we want more. We are capable of winning this game.”Spain has conceded just one goal throughout the tournament and is unbeaten in 37 consecutive competitive matches since March 2023.France, meanwhile, has been one of the tournament’s most prolific teams, scoring 16 goals in six matches while reaching a third consecutive World Cup semifinal.Yamal believes Spain’s ability to dominate possession could prove decisive against Didier Deschamps’ side.”It seems like we’re playing very beautiful football, but in reality, there isn’t a team that plays against us on equal footing,” he said. “Everyone drops back, and that makes it more difficult. But in the end, we secured the win.”The winner of Tuesday’s semifinal will advance to the World Cup final.
