Yamal vows Spain fear no one ahead of World Cup semifinal against France

Lamine Yamal turned 19 on Monday and spent the occasion telling a packed press conference that Spain have no reason to fear France — one day before the two nations meet in a World Cup semifinal at Dallas Stadium, with a place in the final at stake.

It is the third consecutive summer these sides have clashed at the last-four stage of a major tournament. Spain won both previous encounters: a 2-1 victory at Euro 2024 and a dramatic 5-4 triumph in the 2025 Nations League. Yamal featured in each, most memorably at the Euros when, aged 16, he became the youngest goalscorer in men’s major tournament history with a stunning equaliser against France. Spain lifted the trophy, and Yamal was named the tournament’s best young player.

“Everyone is saying that I’m not giving my best performance,” Yamal said via interpreter on Monday. “So you shouldn’t expect anything from me.”

He was equally direct when pressed on comments he made after Spain’s 2-1 win over Belgium last week, in which he suggested France should be the fearful party given recent history. “I was asked whether I feared France, and I said no because we are the European champions,” he said. “And we don’t fear anyone.”

French defender Jules Koundé, Yamal’s Barcelona teammate, was largely unmoved by the remarks. “For me, it’s a sign of confidence,” Koundé said via interpreter. “He always does this. So I see nothing as an extra motivation.”

Yamal arrived at this World Cup managing his way back from a left hamstring injury but wasted little time making an impact, scoring 10 minutes into his first start as Spain thrashed Saudi Arabia 4-0 in the group stage. He later described it on Spain’s social media as “the most important goal I have scored so far.” He has managed one goal in the tournament overall, with 10 shots on target.

Beyond the football, Yamal carried himself with the ease of someone entirely comfortable in the spotlight — diamond necklaces around his neck, unhurried in his answers, and seemingly untroubled by the weight of expectation that has followed him since his teenage breakthrough at Barcelona, where he has since helped the club win back-to-back La Liga titles.

“Tomorrow will be a very special day,” he said simply.