Spain's Lamine Yamal warns France ahead of World Cup semi-final

ARLINGTON: Lamine Yamal has warned France that Spain are the team to fear ahead of Tuesday's FIFA World Cup semi-final, insisting La Roja have no reason to be intimidated by their familiar rivals.

Spain secured their place in the last four after Mikel Merino's dramatic 88th-minute winner sealed a 2-1 victory over Belgium on Friday, while France progressed with a 2-0 win over Morocco a day earlier.

The clash will be the third meeting between the European heavyweights in the past three years. Spain defeated France in the semi-finals of UEFA Euro 2024 before beating them again in the UEFA Nations League in 2025.

"If France should fear anyone, it's us," Yamal told reporters after Spain's victory over Belgium.

"We have knocked them out [before]. We have beat them two times. Honestly, I think we're the two best teams at the World Cup, so we'll see what happens, but we do not have any fear."

Spain are appearing in only their second World Cup semi-final and their first since winning the title in 2010. France, meanwhile, are chasing a third consecutive World Cup final after lifting the trophy in 2018 and finishing runners-up in Qatar four years later.

Despite arriving as one of the pre-tournament favourites, Spain have had to work hard for their place in the last four.

After a goalless draw with Cape Verde, they defeated Saudi Arabia and Uruguay before overcoming Austria. Merino then scored late winners against both Portugal and Belgium to keep their title hopes alive.

The Barcelona winger has scored once in six World Cup appearances and will look to inspire Spain into the final.