Inglewood, California. Lamine Yamal believes France should be wary of Spain as the European heavyweights prepare to meet in Tuesday's World Cup semifinal.

"I believe if France has to fear anyone, it should be us," the teenage star told reporters after Spain's 2-1 victory over Belgium on Friday secured La Roja's first World Cup semifinal appearance since 2010. "We were the ones who knocked them out before."

Spain defeated France in the semifinals of the 2024 European Championship and again in last year's Nations League. Yamal also became the youngest player to score in the European Championship during that tournament.

The rivals will meet next week at the Dallas Cowboys' home stadium for a place in the World Cup final.

"We don't fear anyone," said Yamal, who was named player of the match against Belgium. "We are two great teams, two world-class national teams, and for me they are one of the best. We'll see what happens."

Substitute Mikel Merino scored the winner in the 88th minute at SoFi Stadium to send Spain through. Belgium's late first-half strike was the first goal Spain has conceded in the tournament, while France has scored 16 goals in six World Cup matches.

France has reached the past two World Cup finals, winning the title in 2018. Spain has appeared in only one World Cup final, lifting the trophy in 2010, but enters the semifinal unbeaten in 37 consecutive competitive matches since March 2023. That run includes a penalty shootout loss to Portugal in last year's Nations League final.

Spain coach Luis de la Fuente has repeatedly praised France throughout the tournament while expressing confidence in his own side.

"Let me be clear: We are not finished," de la Fuente said. "We are pleased to be in the semifinals, but we want more. We are capable of winning this game, and not just now—I would have said the same a few weeks ago."

Yamal, who turns 19 on Monday, has scored once and has yet to register an assist despite putting 10 shots on target in his first World Cup. Even so, his creativity and influence on Spain's right flank have stood out throughout the tournament.

He helped initiate the move that led to Spain's opening goal against Belgium, combining with Pedro Porro before Fabián Ruiz converted the rebound from Dani Olmo's shot.

Yamal said he is unconcerned by his modest statistics, noting he also scored just once while providing four assists during Spain's triumphant Euro 2024 campaign.

Although Spain needed late winners in back-to-back knockout matches, Yamal believes his team is well equipped to face one of the tournament favorites. He pointed to Spain's dominance in possession as a key factor in disrupting France's style of play.

"I think we were much better than Belgium," Yamal said. "People say we play beautiful football, but the reality is that no team has played us on equal terms. Everyone sits back, which makes it more difficult. In the end, though, we got the win."

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