Lamine Yamal believes Spain have nothing to fear in their blockbuster FIFA World Cup semi-final against France, insisting Didier Deschamps’ team must look over their shoulders. The teenage sensation made the bold statement as Spain beat Belgium 2-1 in the quarter-finals as Kylian Mbappe prepares for a heavyweight clash with France in Dallas on July 14.

Another player of the match performance, Yamal admitted that this was what everyone expected when the tournament started.

spain vs belgium, FIFA World Cup: : highlighted

“We are really excited. When the World Cup started, we were all looking forward to this match. I think we are the two best teams in the tournament,” Yamal said after Spain secured their place in the last four.

The Barcelona winger also made it clear that Spain have no intention of changing their identity against one of the tournament’s favourites.

“I expect a team that will come at us, but not for the whole match. We will play the way we know how,” he said.

Then came the row that would add even more spice to Tuesday’s semi-final.

“I think if France has anyone to fear it is us, because we are the ones who have beaten them before.”

The comment refers to Spain’s memorable 2-1 win over France in the UEFA Euro 2024 semi-finals, where 16-year-old Yamal announced himself on the biggest stage with a superb long-range strike before Dani Olmo returned the favor. Spain won the European title, and Yamal believes recent history gives his team every reason to approach another meeting with confidence.

Yamal wants France again

Spain’s confidence has increased further during this World Cup. Luis de la Fuente’s side have swept past Austria, Portugal and now Belgium, with Mikel Merino proving the hero once again after coming off the bench to score a dramatic late winner in the quarter-finals.

Meanwhile, Yamal may have scored only one goal this tournament, but his overall impact has been huge. The teenager leads the World Cup with 17 chances and has registered nine shots in Spain’s last two matches, underlining how central a part he has become to La Roja’s attack.

However, personal numbers are the last thing on his mind.

“It doesn’t make me disappointed. I won the Euros by scoring just one goal. As long as we keep moving forward, I’ll be very happy. The team is what matters,” he said.

Asked if he would like to have another iconic moment against France, Yamal smiled and said: “Hopefully I can do it again. I really want to do that.”

MBAPE vs Yamal: Big semi-final clash

Tuesday’s clash will also pit two of world football’s biggest stars against each other.

Mbappe has been in sensational form, with eight goals and three assists in five games to lead Lionel Messi in the race for the Golden Boot. Yamal’s figures tell a different story. Although he has only found the net once, he has consistently been Spain’s creative heartbeat, troubling defenders with his dribbling, movement and vision.

However, for Yamal, reputation will no longer matter once the whistle blows.

“We have no fear. We have beaten France in the last two matches,” he said.

“We are very happy to reach the semi-finals. We have been much better. All the other teams are behind us. We are here to win and that is what 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 its second World Cup final and France aiming for a third consecutive title appearance, Dallas is primed for a contest worthy of the final. And if Yamal’s words are to be believed, Spain are assuming that the pressure is entirely from their opponents.

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