INGLEWOOD, California – Fresh off Spain’s tense 2-1 quarterfinal victory over Belgium that booked the nation’s first World Cup semifinal spot since 2010, 18-year-old Spanish breakout star Lamine Yamal has issued a bold warning to defending champions France: the European powerhouse should be wary of his side when the two global football giants face off for a place in the World Cup final next week.
Speaking to reporters immediately after Friday’s quarterfinal win at SoFi Stadium, the teenage sensation made his stance clear: “I believe if France has to fear anyone, it should be us, in my opinion. We were the ones who knocked them out before.”
Yamal’s confidence is rooted in recent head-to-head history: Spain eliminated France in the 2024 European Championship semifinals, and the two sides have also faced off in Nations League competition in 2023, with Spain coming out on top once again. The young winger, who made history as the youngest goal scorer at the 2024 Euros, earned man of the match honors for his impactful performance against Belgium, and says his side enters the matchup with no intimidation.
“We don’t fear anyone,” Yamal said. “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.”
The highly anticipated semifinal will take place at the home stadium of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys, marking another high-stakes chapter between two of men’s football’s most talented national squads. France, the 2018 World Cup champions and 2022 runners-up, have been the tournament’s most prolific attacking side so far, notching 16 goals across six matches en route to the semifinal round. For Spain, Friday’s quarterfinal win was secured by a dramatic 88th-minute match-winner from substitute Mikel Merino, with Belgium’s late first-half strike marking the first goal La Roja has conceded throughout the entire 2026 World Cup.
Spain’s current squad carries an unprecedented recent record: the team has gone 37 consecutive competitive matches without a loss dating back to March 2023, with the only blemish in that run coming via a penalty shootout defeat to Portugal in the 2023 Nations League final. It is just the second time Spain has reached a World Cup semifinal in the nation’s history, after their victorious 2010 campaign where they lifted the trophy.
Though Yamal has only found the back of the net once in his debut World Cup, his dynamic playmaking and relentless energy down Spain’s right attacking flank has been a standout feature of the team’s run. He set the game’s first goal in motion against Belgium, combining in a quick one-two with right-back Pedro Porro to open space for the attack, ultimately leading to Fabián Ruiz’s rebound finish after Dani Olmo’s initial shot was saved. It was the second consecutive match Spain secured victory with a late match-winner, a trend that has tested the side’s resilience ahead of their biggest match of the tournament.
Even with the tight wins, Yamal says his side has proven they are prepared to face France, the tournament’s most dominant attacking unit. He argued that Spain’s attractive, possession-based style has forced every opponent this tournament to abandon open play and sit deep in defense, making results harder to come by than they might appear.
“I think we were much better (than Belgium),” Yamal said. “It seems like we’re playing very beautiful football, but in reality, there isn’t a team that plays against us on equal footing. Everyone drops back, and that makes it more difficult. Nobody has gone toe-to-toe with us. But in the end, we secured the win.”
Yamal will turn 19 years old on Monday, the day before the two sides kick off their semifinal battle for a spot in the World Cup final.