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."
ruzadiklry
0
you don't have score most goals or assist of your team yamal,
zodacisuyz
0
if France win I will call you personally to ask you repeat your words. u are even lucky when faced Portugal pray Mendes got injuries and u did nothing thank merino
jeeaiklmps
0
Yamal is no exceptional talent. he's been average this worldcup. compare that to Due, Barcola, Mbappe or Dembele even..
But yet most of them haven’t won MVP in any matches
kowacekntz
0
well next week Tuesday France will close that gap.
You cap
jeeaiklmps
0
Yamal is no exceptional talent. he's been average this worldcup. compare that to Due, Barcola, Mbappe or Dembele even..
Okay because some of them has more goals than him, try to watch football and leave LiveScores
Nenacmnstz
0
Tell me the head2head between France and Spain?
well next week Tuesday France will close that gap.
Nenacmnstz
0
You serious "Average” talent🤣🤣
Yamal is no exceptional talent. he's been average this worldcup. compare that to Due, Barcola, Mbappe or Dembele even..
Boubdklmyz
1
France will humble you bro!! Invest your time more in practice.It's not mouth that play na leg's bro and sometimes do get heavy...Pray you win!! Otherwise France are watching..Players who talk much before the match always go silent after the match.
Ritcdikmnr
0
kowacekntz
0
average talent with a loud mouth. Les Bleus will shut him up with a trashing on Tuesday. Spain 🇪🇸 1-3 France 🇫🇷
Tell me the head2head between France and Spain?
Wosalostyz
2
I don't know why some of you are going against this boy for his comments? I think the records are there to substantiate what he said.
Popskull954
0
he's saying nothing wrong, it's all about mind game, he'll want to put the pressure on France
put pressure on France who has been there and done that this is his first world cup the pressure is on him
Popskull954
0
that boy is right go to the last two games wen yamal playing and see Wat happened France is good yes but Spain is solid to elite countries very solid and stubborn
this is the world cup you and lamal should know that not the pass two games I think he talks a little too much before the game he should talk after the game I haven't see other great players like Messi, Ronaldo and others b4 them talk like him
Shugarzizzle
0
At least he is far better than that ur useless papa way no train you well
Nah everywhere you Dey on another person comment. I don see you like to use ur self ßļàve you put ur own matter on hand and carry another person own on ur põøř head . E no go beta for u and ur fatha fuulish thjng
Shugarzizzle
0
Wawa dan shegiya yamal na ur papa?
Werey nah ur motha naw
Nikadlnuy
2
that boy is right go to the last two games wen yamal playing and see Wat happened France is good yes but Spain is solid to elite countries very solid and stubborn
jomanosuz
0
stupid
ArchangelRaphael
0
this boy talk too much what did you have to beat france?
jeeaiklmps
0
average talent with a loud mouth. Les Bleus will shut him up with a trashing on Tuesday. Spain 🇪🇸 1-3 France 🇫🇷
You serious "Average” talent🤣🤣
Nenacmnstz
2
average talent with a loud mouth. Les Bleus will shut him up with a trashing on Tuesday. Spain 🇪🇸 1-3 France 🇫🇷
Soaabeimtz
0
this boy is talking too much and he's underperform in this world cup
some fans are nothing but Animal Football is made for fun and Entertainment not for fight or insult. someone says his opinion likewise yours why calling someone father , mother ? dose those players know that you are existing ? make Argument and insult any body .
RapagGHUpcoming
1
France is stronger so mind game is needed
takbinopyz
0
asyeivi ujceu
Zekadelmru
0
Everybody show leave the boy alone. When Cr7 said am back am back and he went back, you didn't talk
So CR7 is now a suitable comparison with Yamal. what has he won individually. Let him calm down when he accumulates enough swagg then he can start to talk
Greaterlotus
1
pride comes before downfall others no dey talk nah only you .
MrAB1884
0
Nah ur papa problem be that
Wawa
MrAB1884
0
Ur papa do pass him and still nothing to show for mumu
At least he is far better than that ur useless papa way no train you well
MrAB1884
0
Go and ask ur grandfather
Wawa dan shegiya yamal na ur papa?
MrAB1884
0
Underperforming but he already won two MVP in worldcup so far you’re senseless human being so cause he’s not scoring like mbappe and Messi does that mean he’s underperforming
Na u get no sense fool! u dey insult somebody bcox of yamal, yamal na ur papa? ode!
Ghost_B17
0
shame on you, is that how they leave Messi alone ah that age, you see what Messi did in that game age bracket, yamal is a big trash to be compare with Messi, what is leave him alone, he's not living up to standard, he's just been over hyped
no one comparing him with messi all we said is he is touch of messi thats all. I m Barca fan and yeah yamal should stop speaking like this but you guys were celebrating saying this aura farming when these kinda things were talked by Ronaldo
Shugarzizzle
0
U too ask ur grandmother
Eni ofo iya e onijere
Lopacnprtz
0
this boy's mouth ummmm
dawlnosty
1
Go back to Morocco you black boy
In this big 2026 you are being racist to someone probably younger than you but can feed your generation
Dodadeimz
2
He is telling the truth by the way
tibaiorsu
1
amay the lord help the world of football and silence yamal big moith
Hehaelmop
0
It's going to be Africa United Vs Spain. Who are you routing for?
United Africa
cacdekty
0
It only took Belgium one attacking move to equalized against Spain,i wonder how many goals they will concede against a supper attacking team like France..Spain only busy passing the ball.
don't u remember that pedri is on the bench the midfield is not that strong....
Sewadmrsty
4
Go back to Morocco you black boy
tell mbape the same and the rest of France squad
Charlesugwu
2
It's going to be Africa United Vs Spain. Who are you routing for?
cacdekty
0
this boy can make mouth you've started again Yam abi Yamal no worries i can't wait to see you cry like a baby on that day you get, Barcola or Doue is waiting for you
tell him yamal send Mendes to parking space b4 there teams reach him yesterday he send courteous too bcoz I believe due to long missile he send to him send old papa parking
Wiedekosy
0
Go and ask ur grandfather
U too ask ur grandmother
HuNcHotallguy123
1
this boy is talking too much and he's underperform in this world cup
Underperforming but he already won two MVP in worldcup so far you’re senseless human being so cause he’s not scoring like mbappe and Messi does that mean he’s underperforming
cacdekty
1
This small boy talks too much now. France is a different team now. So, the two teams should be worried, not only France. I don't think the Spanish defence can contain Mbappe, Olise, Dembele and Doue. If I'm to put my money in this match, I will go for France to advance to the final.
by God willing Spain will trash France because Spain midfield is more dangerous than anything they can hold an press the opponent an there attacking too is good
Shugarzizzle
1
This small boy talks too much now. France is a different team now. So, the two teams should be worried, not only France. I don't think the Spanish defence can contain Mbappe, Olise, Dembele and Doue. If I'm to put my money in this match, I will go for France to advance to the final.
As if you even get the money to bet you wey be I never chop dey talk No go find work poor thing
Shugarzizzle
0
this stupid boy needs to teach lesson
See werey akushe you dey call greatness stupid, what should we now called wretched thing like u🥱😹
Shugarzizzle
0
Yamal talks too much and he's not even better than mbappe.
Nah ur papa problem be that
Shugarzizzle
0
too much capping no dey full basket, abobby cool
Ur papa do pass him and still nothing to show for mumu
Shugarzizzle
0
How many goal have he scored? He doesn't even perform well
Go and ask ur grandfather
Shugarzizzle
1
this boy is talking too much and he's underperform in this world cup
Nah your papa leg he dey use perform naw werey no go face your life
jayaeortz
1
Go back to Morocco you black boy