Spain’s young star Lamine Yamal says the national team is not scared of France, despite some media reports suggesting otherwise. He believes it is France who should be worried, not Spain.
Spain have a strong record against France in recent years. La Roja beat Les Bleus 2-1 in the Euro 2024 semi-final in Munich, with Yamal scoring a stunning equalizer before Dani Olmo netted the winner. Spain went on to lift the trophy that summer.
The two sides met again in the 2025 UEFA Nations League semi-final, where Spain won an even bigger battle, beating France 5-4 in a thrilling nine-goal contest. Yamal scored twice in that match.
Speaking ahead of Spain’s World Cup semi-final clash with France, Yamal said his team has already shown they can handle the French. He pointed to Spain’s recent wins as proof that Les Bleus have more reason to be nervous than his own side.
“I am looking forward to playing France. We don’t fear France. Perhaps they should fear us. We knocked them out before in two semi-finals,” Yamal told reporters after Spain’s 2-1 win over Belgium in the quarter-final, a result that booked their spot in the last four.
Spain are chasing their second World Cup title, having last won it in 2010. France, meanwhile, are hoping to win a third World Cup crown to cement their place among the game’s greats.
The semi-final between the two European giants takes place at Dallas Stadium, with the winner set to face either England or Argentina in Sunday’s final.