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Rabat – Lamine Yamal has sent a confident message to France ahead of Spain’s World Cup semifinal, saying La Roja have no reason to fear Les Bleus.
Spain booked their place in the final four after beating Belgium 2-1 in Los Angeles, with Mikel Merino scoring the decisive goal in the 88th minute.
The result set up a major semifinal against France, who reached the same stage after beating Morocco 2-0 in their quarterfinal.
Speaking after Spain’s win, Yamal said France should be the side feeling pressure.
“If anyone should be afraid, it should be them,” Yamal said. “We knocked them out of the Euros.”
The 18-year-old added that Spain and France are among the strongest teams in the world, but insisted La Roja will enter the match without fear.
Spain survive Belgium test
Spain’s win over Belgium was not easy.
Fabian Ruiz opened the scoring in the 30th minute, before Charles De Ketelaere equalized for Belgium with a header from Timothy Castagne’s cross.
The goal ended Spain’s long defensive run without conceding, but Luis de la Fuente’s team did not lose control of the match.
Merino again delivered in a decisive knockout moment, scoring late to send Spain into the semifinals.
It was another important goal from a player who has become one of Spain’s most reliable figures in big games.
Yamal ready for France
Yamal did not score against Belgium, but he remained central to Spain’s attacking threat.
After the match, he said he is not worried about having only one goal in the tournament.
He argued that winning matters more than individual numbers.
The Barcelona winger also described the France match as one of the games “everyone has been waiting for.”
Spain have recent history on their side.
They beat France 2-1 in the Euro 2024 semifinal, with Yamal scoring a stunning goal as Spain reached the final.
They also defeated France 5-4 in the UEFA Nations League in June 2025, a match in which Yamal scored twice.
That record explains part of Spain’s confidence before facing Kylian Mbappe and one of the most talented squads left in the tournament.
Spain coach Luis de la Fuente also said that reaching the semifinals is not enough.
After the Belgium win, he said Spain are happy to be in the final four, but still want more.
His team has built its run on possession, control, and collective discipline.
Spain averaged heavy possession during the tournament and again controlled long spells against Belgium.
France, meanwhile, bring a different threat.
Didier Deschamps’ side have speed, physical power, and attacking quality through players such as Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele, Michael Olise, and Bradley Barcola.
That contrast makes the semifinal one of the biggest matches of the tournament.
