Spain winger Lamine Yamal called Tuesday's World Cup semifinal against France in Arlington, Texas "the most important match" of his career. The Barcelona star, who turned 19 on Monday, said he wants to gift himself a win and reach the final in New York.

France enter as favorites after winning all six games, scoring 16 goals and conceding only two en route to their third straight semifinal. Yamal insisted he isn't afraid: "We're the European champions, and we don't fear any team." He played 90 minutes in wins over Portugal and Belgium, with one goal in six tournament appearances.

Asked about pressure, Yamal said he doesn't feel it: "I play the way I know how; I just give everything I have for the team." He also addressed former Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy's controversial column claiming France "don't have any French players," which current Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez called xenophobic. Yamal, born to a Moroccan father and Equatorial Guinean mother, said football should bring people together.