2024 European Championship Semi-Finals<\/span> He also played in last year’s Nations League. Yamal became the youngest player to score in a continental tournament.<\/p>\nThe powerhouse teams will meet again next week at the Dallas Cowboys’ home stadium with a chance to advance to the finals.<\/p>\n
“We are not afraid of anyone,” said Yamal, who was named man of the match against Belgium. “Obviously we have two great teams and world-class national teams, but for me they are one of the best teams. We’ll see what happens.”<\/p>\n
Spain advanced to the quarterfinals at SoFi Stadium with substitute Mikel Merino scoring the winning goal in the 88th minute. La Roja conceded their only goal of the entire World Cup late in the first half against Belgium, but France amassed 16 goals in six World Cup games.<\/p>\n
France has reached the finals of the World Cup twice, winning both in 2018. Spain has only reached the World Cup final once in its history, but the current squad is unbeaten in 37 competitive matches since March 2023, including a penalty shootout loss to Portugal in last year’s Nations League final.<\/p>\n
Spain coach Luis de la Fuente has been asked by international media about the possibility of a match against France during the tournament, particularly since the start of the final two weeks ago. He was unanimous in his praise of Les Bleus, reflecting the confidence of his own players.<\/p>\n
\u201cLet me be clear: we are not done yet,\u201d de la Fuente said. “I’m happy to be in the semifinals, but I want to win more. … We have the ability to win this game. Not just now, but I would have said that a few weeks ago.”<\/p>\n
Yamal, who turns 19 on Monday, had 10 shots on target in his first World Cup, but had just one goal and no assists, but his playmaking and presence on the right side of Spain’s attack was outstanding in nearly every game. He started the sequence that led to Spain’s first goal against Belgium in a two-man match with Pedro Polo, which ultimately led to Fabian Ruiz’s rebound goal from Dani Olmo’s shot.<\/p>\n
Yamal said he was not concerned about his modest performance, pointing out that he only scored one goal (and provided four assists) when Spain won the European Championship two years ago.<\/p>\n
Although Spain needed a goal from Merino late on to win their second straight game, Yamal believes his team is ready to take on the strongest teams in the World Cup so far. Yamal cited Spain’s acumen in possession – an ability Spain has repeatedly dominated during this World Cup – as a way to take France out of its preferred style of play.<\/p>\n
“I think we were much better than (Belgium),” Yamal said. “We seem to be playing very beautiful football, but in reality there are no teams that can compete with us. Everyone goes down, which makes it even more difficult. No one went head-to-head with us, but in the end we secured the win.”<\/p>\n
___<\/p>\n
See more of AP’s World Cup coverage here<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
\n
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