Lamine Yamal says France should be the team feeling the pressure ahead of Tuesdays World Cup semi-final after insisting Spain have nothing to fear from Didier Deschamps side. Spain booked their place in the last four thanks to Mikel Merinos late winner against Belgium, while France overcame Morocco to continue their bid for a third consecutive World Cup final appearance.The two European heavyweights will meet in Arlington next week.Spain have enjoyed recent success against France, knocking them out of Euro 2024 and the Nations League in 2025, and Yamal believes that history should give his side confidence.If France should fear anyone, its us, the Barcelona winger said after Spains victory over Belgium.We have knocked them out before. We have beat them two times.Honestly, I think were the two best teams at the World Cup, so well see what happens, but we do not have any fear.Table of ContentsDe la Fuente confident Spain can deliverSpain still searching for top gearDe la Fuente confident Spain can deliverSpain coach Luis de la Fuente echoed Yamals confidence but acknowledged the size of the challenge awaiting his team in Texas.France are seeking a third successive World Cup final after winning the competition in 2018 and finishing runners-up to Argentina four years later.The expectations are very, very high for the next game, De la Fuente said.Were concentrated on this next game and very well aware of the potential of our opponent at the next game.But also we are very clear that we are able to beat France.We have the quality and its a semi-final again. Weve had a semi-final against them. We were successful.The game will be very demanding. Itll be energetic. Well need to have the best version of ourselves.Spain still searching for top gearDespite reaching the semi-finals, Spain have yet to fully convince during the tournament.After opening with a goalless draw against Cape Verde, they secured victories over Saudi Arabia and Uruguay to top their group before seeing off Austria in the Round of 32.Their quarter-final route proved more dramatic, with Merino scoring late winners against both Portugal and Belgium to keep Spains hopes alive.Yamal believes opponents defensive tactics have prevented Spain from showing their best football.It may seem as if were not playing great, but every team we play sits back against us, he said.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.We are really happy to be in the semi-final. Weve been here for a long time now and we want to stay until the final. Topics France National Football Team Lamine Yamal Spain National Football Team Add us as a preferred source on Google If you enjoy reading this article, you can help support our independent football journalism by adding 101 Great Goals as a preferred source You Should Also Read Merino revels in dream come true after authoring another Spain late show Nicholas McGee 10th July, 2026 Spain 2-1 Belgium: Merino the late hero again as Lammens error gifts La Roja semi-final spot Nicholas McGee 10th July, 2026 WATCH: Spain concede first 2026 World Cup goal as De Ketelaere cancels out Ruiz opener Nicholas McGee 10th July, 2026 LIVE Spain v Belgium: World Cup 2026 as it happened after Merino scores another late winner Jon Fisher 10th July, 2026 World Cup 2026 live: Spain vs Belgium confirmed teams and full line ups as Fabian Ruiz, Jeremy Doku and Kevin De Bruyne start, TV channel, live online stream and stats Ben Miller 10th July, 2026 Spain v Belgium: Predicted line-ups, stats and where to watch as European champions eye place in World Cup semi-finals Jon Fisher 10th July, 2026
