Spain’s confidence ahead of France encounter
Spain winger Lamine Yamal has expressed strong confidence in his team’s abilities as they prepare to face France in the FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-finals. Following Spain‘s 2-1 quarter-final victory against Belgium at Los Angeles Stadium, Yamal stated that France should be more concerned about facing Spain, rather than the other way around. The Barcelona player highlighted Spain‘s recent successes against Didier Deschamps‘ side, suggesting that La Roja has no reason to fear the upcoming match.
The semi-final fixture, which will take place in Arlington, Texas, is set to be a significant contest with a spot in the World Cup final at stake. Yamal’s remarks underscore a belief within the Spain camp that they are well-prepared for the challenge. He noted that Spain has previously eliminated France from competitions, including the UEFA Euro 2024 semi-finals and the 2024-25 UEFA Nations League.
Yamal’s confidence stems from Spain‘s recent record against Les Bleus. He told reporters, “If France should fear anyone, it’s us.” He added that he believes both teams are among the best in the World Cup and that Spain has no fear.
Road to the semi-finals
Spain secured their place in the last four after a dramatic 2-1 victory over Belgium. The winning goal was scored by substitute Mikel Merino, following an opener from Fabián Ruiz, which came after Charles De Ketelaere had equalised for Belgium. This win extended Spain‘s national team record unbeaten run to 36 matches, a streak that began after a 1-0 defeat to Colombia in March 2024. During this period, Spain has recorded 27 wins and nine draws.
Despite their unbeaten run, Spain‘s journey through the tournament has not always been straightforward. They started the competition with a goalless draw against Cape Verde, before securing victories over Saudi Arabia and Uruguay to top their group. In the knockout stages, Spain comfortably defeated Austria 3-0 in the Round of 32. They then edged past Portugal and Belgium in successive knockout matches, with late winners from Merino proving decisive.
The equaliser from Belgium in the quarter-final marked the end of Spain‘s clean sheet record in the knockout rounds, but the 2-1 victory ensured their unbeaten campaign continued. Yamal acknowledged that Spain might not always appear dominant, attributing this to the cautious approach adopted by their opponents. He stated that every team they have played has adopted a defensive strategy, and no team has gone “toe-to-toe” with them, but ultimately, they have secured the wins.
The Barcelona winger, who will turn 19 on Monday, has contributed one goal in his six World Cup appearances and has played a central creative role in Luis de la Fuente‘s attacking strategy. He expressed the team’s happiness to be in the semi-finals and their desire to remain in the tournament until the final.
Coaches’ perspectives and upcoming fixture
Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente echoed his players’ confidence following the victory over Belgium, while also acknowledging the challenge that France will present. De la Fuente stated that expectations are very high for the upcoming game and that the team is concentrated on the match, fully aware of their opponent’s potential. However, he also expressed confidence in Spain‘s ability to beat France, referencing their past success in a semi-final encounter against them.
De la Fuente anticipates a demanding and energetic game, emphasising the need for Spain to perform at their best. He also suggested that the respect between the two teams is mutual, stating, “It’s fair to think we’ll work to beat them; I think they’re just as worried.” He highlighted that Spain is the only team to have beaten France two games in a row, setting the stage for a clash between two formidable teams.
France arrives in Arlington with an impressive record, having won all six of their matches in the tournament. Didier Deschamps‘ side secured victories over Sweden, Paraguay, and Morocco in the knockout rounds, after achieving maximum points in Group I. Kylian Mbappé, the team captain, leads the Golden Boot race with eight goals and has been a key player in France‘s pursuit of a third consecutive World Cup final appearance. The semi-final between Spain and France is scheduled for Tuesday in Dallas at 20:00 BST.
The upcoming match marks the third competitive meeting between Spain and France in the last three years, further intensifying what has become a notable rivalry in international football. Both nations remain unbeaten in North America and carry recent victories against each other into this crucial encounter.
Read Also
Source: bbc.com
