Spain teenage sensation Lamine Yamal has declared that La Roja will head into their blockbuster 2026 FIFA World Cup semi-final against France with confidence rather than fear after edging Belgium 2-1 in a dramatic quarter-final.
The mouth-watering last-four clash will pit two of the tournament’s standout teams against each other, with France aiming to reach a third consecutive FIFA World Cup final, while Spain seek to continue their impressive recent record against Les Bleus.
Spain booked their place in the semi-finals thanks to a hard-fought victory over Belgium in Dallas. The Spaniards looked destined for extra time before midfielder Mikel Merino struck a late winner, sending the European champions into the last four. Yamal was once again at the heart of Spain’s attacking play and was named the Superior Player of the Match after another outstanding display.
France, meanwhile, earned their semi-final ticket after grinding out a 2-0 victory over Morocco. The second half strikes from Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembele proved enough to separate the sides in a tense contest as Didier Deschamps’ men relied on their defensive discipline and experience to overcome a resilient Morocco team.
Speaking after Spain’s victory, Yamal welcomed the challenge of facing the French giants, insisting his teammates have no reason to be intimidated.
“There are two possibilities: either they reach three World Cup finals in a row, or we beat them for the third time. I don’t know what will happen, but we’re not afraid at all,” the 18-year-old said.
“I’m really happy with the win. We’re back in the semi-finals, which is exactly what we came here to achieve. Now it’s time to recover and prepare for France.”
Although Yamal has scored only once at the tournament, the Barcelona star said individual statistics mean little compared to lifting the World Cup trophy.
“Of course I want to score because it helps the team, but that’s not what I think about when I step onto the pitch. If we win the World Cup, nobody will remember how many goals I scored. What matters is helping the team succeed.”
Yamal has emerged as one of the tournament’s brightest stars, using his pace, dribbling ability and creativity to trouble defenders throughout the competition. His movement off the ball has also created space for teammates, making him one of Spain’s most influential attacking players even when he is not directly involved in scoring.
Against France, Yamal is expected to play a decisive role. His direct running on the wings and ability to unlock compact defences could pose serious problems for a French backline that has been difficult to break down throughout the tournament. His battle with France’s defenders could ultimately shape the outcome of what many observers have described as a “final before the final.”
With Spain’s fluid attacking football set to clash with France’s disciplined and clinical approach, Tuesday’s semi-final promises to be one of the biggest matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with a place in the final at stake.
Advertisement