Spain's young star Lamine Yamal declared that France should be fearful ahead of their World Cup semifinal clash on Tuesday in Arlington, Texas. Yamal's confidence stems from Spain's recent success against France, having defeated them in the semifinals of the 2024 European Championships and the 2025 UEFA Nations League. Spain secured their semifinal spot with an 88th-minute winner from Mikel Merino against Belgium, following a similar late victory over Portugal.

Despite reaching the final four, Spain has not always impressed, relying on late goals and facing defenses that sit deep. Yamal, who returned from a hamstring injury, noted the difficulty this presents. "No one has gone toe-to-toe with us, but in the end we got the win again today. That is the most important thing," he stated. Spain's coach, Luis de la Fuente, acknowledged the high expectations and the demanding nature of facing France, but expressed belief in his team's ability to win.

This marks Spain's second-ever World Cup semifinal, their first since lifting the trophy in 2010. France, meanwhile, aims for a third consecutive World Cup final appearance. The match pits two favored nations against each other, with Spain looking to leverage their historical edge, while France seeks to advance past a familiar foe.

Spain's path to the semifinals included a goalless draw with Cape Verde and subsequent wins against Saudi Arabia and Uruguay, followed by knockout stage victories. The team's late-game heroics from Mikel Merino have been a recurring theme, underscoring their ability to find results even when not dominating play.