Yamal targets Mbappe as Spain and France clash in World Cup semi-final

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Yamal targets Mbappe as Spain and France clash in World Cup semi-final

Published on

July 14, 2026

Gong

Lamine Yamal and Kylian Mbappe ahead of Spain's 2026 FIFA World Cup semi-final against France.

Spain’s teenage sensation Lamine Yamal will have the chance to write another chapter in his remarkable rise when he faces Kylian Mbappe and France in Tuesday’s 2026 FIFA World Cup semi-final.

According to AFP, as published by Channels Television, the 18-year-old Barcelona winger is aiming to follow in Mbappe’s footsteps by winning the World Cup as a teenager.

Mbappe achieved the feat in 2018 when he scored in France’s World Cup final victory over Croatia at just 19 years old, becoming only the second teenager after Pele to score in a World Cup final.

Yamal has already produced a memorable moment against France, scoring a stunning goal in Spain’s 2-1 victory over Didier Deschamps’ side in the Euro 2024 semi-final before helping his country lift the European Championship title. He was later named the tournament’s Young Player.

After recovering from a hamstring injury that threatened his participation in the World Cup, Yamal has featured prominently for Spain. He scored in the group-stage win over Saudi Arabia but has not found the net since.

Spain captain Rodri has urged the youngster to remain patient.

“I think Lamine needs to calm the anxiety he sometimes has because he wants to show how important a player he is for us,” Rodri said.

While Yamal has struggled to replicate his Euro 2024 brilliance consistently at this tournament, France have rediscovered their attacking edge, led by Mbappe.

The France captain has scored eight goals at the tournament, drawing level with Lionel Messi in the Golden Boot race and moving within one goal of the Argentine’s all-time World Cup record of 21 goals.

Mbappe is also chasing a third consecutive World Cup final after lifting the trophy in 2018 and finishing runner-up in 2022, when he scored a hat-trick in the final.

“I have won a World Cup and been a runner-up. This team has done neither of those things, but it is the team with the greatest potential,” Mbappe said after France’s quarter-final victory over Morocco.

The pair have developed an emerging rivalry in recent seasons through El Clasico clashes between Barcelona and Real Madrid. According to AFP, Yamal has enjoyed the upper hand, winning eight of their 10 meetings with club and country.

Tuesday’s semi-final now offers another opportunity for the Spanish teenager to outshine one of world football’s biggest stars as both nations battle for a place in the World Cup final.

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