Spain superstar Lamine Yamal reflects on the quarter-final victory over Belgium and looks ahead to the crunch clash with Les Bleus. It is the unstoppable attack against the almost impenetrable defense.
Los Angeles,July 2026 -The upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-final between France and Spain has the makings of an all-time classic, pitting together an irresistible forward line-up of Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele and Michael Olise against a Spain team that has conceded just one goal in the global finals after five successive clean sheets.
Spain have won their last two meetings with France – a 2-1 victory in the UEFA EURO 2024 semi-finals and then an epic 5-4 victory in the 2025 UEFA Nations League final four. France, for their part, are seeking a place in a third successive FIFA World Cup™ final.
Something has to give, but Spain will go into the semi-final showdown in Dallas full of confidence following their 2-1 victory over Belgium in the quarter-finals in Los Angeles.
“There are two possibilities: either they reach three World Cup finals in a row, or we beat them three times. I don’t know what might happen, but we’re not afraid at all,” Spain star Lamine Yamal said.
“I’m really happy with the win. Back in the semi-finals again. That’s what we came here for – to play these matches and win them. Now it’s time to rest and start thinking about the match against France.”
Yamal was once again named the Superior Player of the Match after an epic display in which Mikel Merino scored late at Los Angeles Stadium to secure a place in the semi-finals.
The 18-year-old has scored just one goal thus far in the World Cup but his focus is solely on the team performance.
“Obviously I wanted to score because it helps the team, but I don’t go out onto the pitch thinking about that. If I win the World Cup, I don’t think anyone’s going to remember how many goals I’ve scored or missed. If we win, we’ll all be happy. If I win the [player of the match award], all the better, but above all, I want the team to win.
“I know that my runs draw in a lot of opponents and that I can leave a team-mate unmarked. The important thing is that we’ve come here to win, and anything I can do to help – even if I don’t touch the ball in a move – will be a good thing.
“I think the whole goal business has got into everyone’s heads, and we won the European Championship with me scoring just one goal. I only scored one goal then, and I’ve already scored one this time. They can rest easy.” FIFA
