Lamine Yamal believes France should be more worried than Spain ahead of their titanic World Cup semi-final tussle.
La Roja booked their place in the last four with a 2-1 victory over Belgium in Los Angeles, with Mikel Merino coming off the bench to score the decisive goal again.
Spain have reached the semi-finals of the World Cup for only the second time after 2010, when they went on to win the tournament in South Africa.
They have also set the outright longest unbeaten run in their history, now avoiding defeat in each of their last 36 matches since a 1-0 loss to Colombia in March 2024 (W27 D9).
Spain will now face France for a place in the final, and Yamal insists there's no reason for the European champions to be afraid.
"If anyone should be afraid, it's them. We've eliminated them [from Euro 2024 and the 2024-25 Nations League]," said Yamal.
"We are two great teams, for me, the two best, but we have no fear."
And Spain boss Luis de la Fuente, who has now managed more games across the World Cup and Euros without ever losing than any other manager (13, W12 D1), shares Yamal's views.
"It’s fair to think we’ll work to beat them; I think they’re just as worried," De La Fuente said about France.
"We’re the only team that has beaten them two games in a row. A great team is going to face another great team."
There are just two examples of a player scoring the winning goal for Spain in the knockout stages of the World Cup as a substitute: Merino versus Portugal in the round of 16 on Monday, and Merino against Belgium in the quarter-finals on Friday.
Merino is also the first player in World Cup history to score the winning goal in two different knockout-stage matches as a substitute.
When asked about the Arsenal midfielder, De La Fuente said: "He is incredible, he has many virtues, he is world-class.
"He could play on any team and we are lucky to have him. We know that whenever we need him, he is there."
rewaborty
0
be there making big mouth 👄. France coming for your
WNMessi1989
0
Yamal role is not the scorer in this WC2026 - somehow he just distracts opponents to guard him heavily. Afranca will do the same in SemiFinal. Afranca will challenge Spain defence to the max due to their superior Attacking force - may Spain beat this arrogant African in French disguise.
Nemeilostz
0
You are very much stupid for saying such a nonsense
shut the hell up l dummy
Desciklnot
0
Football is played on the field not with mouth..
lol they already beat twice in a row
Desciklnot
0
You are very much stupid for saying such a nonsense
it's true spain beat france 2 in a row that's also semi lol
Yohaemotuz
0
talks a lot and has not scored a single goal
Hope you are ok who told u he didn’t score a single goal
Cupabceipt
1
You are very much stupid for saying such a nonsense
Voadikp
1
talks a lot and has not scored a single goal
Lukcklmruz
0
SPAIN 🇪🇸 should be very careful when approaching this game, cos FRANCE 🇫🇷 extensively has a lot of attacking weapons that can largely & effectively Hurt the opposition with the slightest of chances, taking into account the fearful depth of the attacking talent available to the team. Although it's going to be a very closely matched encounter for both teams. May the Best Team win and carry d day! GGMU 🤞
And they should also think about Kunde on the right wing too . He is poor when marking skilful players
Rmulbah1992
1
Let Mbappe asked Ronaldo about Spain rescue Soldier called Merino.
Empiregold21
2
Is alright,till Tuesday then...Let the best and lucky team win
King185
0
Football is played on the field not with mouth..
And they have shown it twice before like he said so what are you on about
Kuwablmyz
0
bye diego moreira or summer field fc barcelona 🙌
Makacdnsty
0
someone should break him up
Brighton29
3
SPAIN 🇪🇸 should be very careful when approaching this game, cos FRANCE 🇫🇷 extensively has a lot of attacking weapons that can largely & effectively Hurt the opposition with the slightest of chances, taking into account the fearful depth of the attacking talent available to the team. Although it's going to be a very closely matched encounter for both teams. May the Best Team win and carry d day! GGMU 🤞
Litelntz
3
this little prick
pesceirsuy
2
you english fans don't know football at all, how many times hv yamal discipline france by actions on big tournaments, big fool
shaffer12
1
Football is played on the field not with mouth..