By Iñaki Dufour
Sports Desk, July 12 (EFE).- France has become Lamine Yamal’s favorite opponent in a Spain jersey, with the teenage forward scoring three goals in two victories over Les Bleus, including decisive performances in the Euro 2024 semifinals and the 2025 Nations League, ahead of another World Cup showdown.
Although he was named player of the match in Spain’s hard-fought 2-1 victory over Belgium, Yamal has yet to consistently reach the level expected of him at the 2026 World Cup.
Even so, his record against France suggests he remains one of Spain’s greatest attacking threats.
«If anyone should be afraid, it’s them. We’re the ones who have eliminated them. We’re two amazing teams, two of the best in the world. We’ll see what happens, but we’re not afraid at all,» the 18-year-old said after Spain’s victory over Belgium set up another meeting with France.
Yamal has scored seven goals in 31 appearances for Spain, with three of them coming against France, more than against any other opponent.
His remaining international goals have come against Georgia, where he scored on his debut on Sep. 8, 2023, as well as Cyprus, the Netherlands and Saudi Arabia.
Spain heads into the semifinal having won 23 of its 31 matches since Yamal’s debut, drawing seven and losing only one.
To reach the World Cup final, it must once again overcome France, as it did in both Euro 2024 and the 2025 Nations League.
Euro 2024: A spectacular equalizer
July 9, 2024 – Allianz Arena, Munich: After advancing through the group stage with victories over Croatia, Italy and Albania, before defeating Georgia in the Round of 16 and Germany in the quarterfinals, Spain faced France in the semifinals.
Randal Kolo Muani gave France an early lead in the eighth minute, but Yamal responded with a stunning curling strike into the top corner beyond goalkeeper Mike Maignan to level the match. Four minutes later, Dani Olmo scored the winner to send Spain into the final.
Nations League 2025: Two more goals
June 5, 2025 – Mercedes-Benz Arena, Stuttgart: Spain dominated France from the outset, racing into a 4-0 lead within 55 minutes.
Yamal scored Spain’s fourth goal before adding another to make it 5-1 after Kylian Mbappé had reduced the deficit. Spain eventually held on for a dramatic 5-4 victory.
France is the second opponent Yamal has defeated most often with Spain.
Georgia tops the list with three victories, while Cyprus has also been beaten twice.
He has also recorded wins over Northern Ireland, Croatia, Italy, Albania, Germany, England, Serbia, Switzerland, Denmark, Portugal, Bulgaria, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay, Austria and Belgium. EFE
id-sk
