Spain star Lamine Yamal has warned France to fear his side ahead of their blockbuster FIFA World Cup semi-final, insisting La Roja are "not afraid at all" after booking their place in the last four.
The 18-year-old Barcelona winger was named Player of the Match following Spain's dramatic 2-1 victory over Belgium in the quarter-finals, despite not getting on the scoresheet.
Yamal was a constant threat throughout the match, repeatedly troubling Belgium's defense with his pace and dribbling. His impact forced Belgian left-back Maxim De Cuyper to be substituted shortly after the hour mark as Spain eventually secured victory through Mikel Merino's late winner.
Speaking after the match, Yamal expressed his delight at reaching the semi-finals.
"We're very happy to be in the semifinals. We've been here for many days and we want to go all the way," he said.
The teenage winger also felt Spain deserved the victory despite Belgium's equalizer coming through an unfortunate own goal.
"We were clearly the better team, and the own goal was an unusual situation because it happened right when we were at our best," Yamal said.
"It may seem like we don't play very attractive football, but no one plays on equal terms with us, everyone sits back, yet in the end, we managed to secure the victory."
Spain will now face France in one of the tournament's most anticipated semi-finals, but Yamal believes the pressure should be on the 2018 world champions.
"If they have to fear anyone, it's us; we're the ones who knocked them out at Euro 2024," the Barcelona star said.
"We're two of the world's top teams, in my opinion, the two best, and we're not afraid at all."
The winner of Tuesday's semi-final will advance to the 2026 FIFA World Cup final.
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