This mix of information images created on July 12, 2026, reveals Spain’s ahead #19 Lamine Yamal in Inglewood on July 10, 2026 (L); and France’s ahead #10 Kylian Mbappe in East Rutherford on June 30, 2026. — AFPÂ
ARLINGTON: Lamine Yamal is hoping to emulate Kylian Mbappe by profitable the World Cup as an adolescent, however first his Spain aspect must get the higher of France and their celebrity captain in Tuesday’s semi-final.
When Mbappe scored in France’s win over Croatia within the deciding match of the 2018 event, he was simply 19 years and 207 days previous. He due to this fact turned solely the second teenager to attain in a World Cup last after a 17-year-old Pele in 1958.
Mbappe’s love affair with the World Cup started then, whereas that is Yamal’s first expertise of the competitors.
He has already had his huge breakthrough in a significant event, nevertheless — Yamal’s gorgeous objective within the Euro 2024 semi-final in opposition to Mbappe’s France helped Spain to a 2-1 victory.
That got here 4 days earlier than he turned 17. His birthday was the day earlier than the ultimate. Spain beat England, and Yamal was named younger participant of the event.
This time his nineteenth birthday comes on the eve of the semi-final in Arlington.
Such a younger participant together with his finest years to come back. However he’s clearly keen to go away a agency mark on this World Cup.
Maybe too keen, having at one level been a doubt for the event after lacking the top of the season with Barcelona attributable to a hamstring damage.
“I was afraid it might be serious and, above all, that even if it wasn’t serious, I could suffer a setback and end up missing the World Cup,” Yamal admitted in late Might.
Nervousness?
After coming off the bench in Spain’s opening 0-0 draw with Cape Verde, Yamal began in opposition to Saudi Arabia and scored earlier than being changed at half-time in a 4-0 victory.
Spain’s ahead #19 Lamine Yamal fights for the ball with Belgium’s midfielder #23 Nicolas Raskin, defender #18 Joaquin Seys and ahead #11 Jeremy Doku throughout the 2026 World Cup soccer event quarter-final match between Spain and Belgium on the Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood on July 10, 2026. — AFPÂ
He has began each recreation since, with out including to that solitary objective — that may be attending to him.
“I think Lamine needs to calm the anxiety he sometimes has because he wants to show how important a player he is for us,” Spain captain Rodri stated Sunday.
“Given he was able to show that level of maturity at that European Championship, when he is two years older you are not so impressed by what he is able to do,” he added.
With Yamal not as decisive, Spain have lacked the lethal verticality that made them so exhausting to cease on the Euros.
France, in the meantime, have rediscovered a innovative that evaded them on the Euros, and have probably the most thrilling assault at this World Cup.
Mbappe, now 27, is the talisman and appears intent on leaving a legacy as an all-time World Cup nice.
With eight objectives right here, he’s stage with Lionel Messi within the golden boot race and is one behind the Argentine’s all-time World Cup report of 21 objectives.
Third straight last?
Having gained the trophy in 2018 and scored a hat-trick within the 2022 last, Mbappe has a 3rd straight last in his sights.
France’s ahead #10 Kylian Mbappe fights for the ball with Morocco’s defender #14 Issa Diop and Morocco’s midfielder #24 Neil El Aynaoui (C) throughout the 2026 World Cup soccer event quarter-final match between France and Morocco at Boston Stadium in Foxborough on July 9, 2026. — AFP
He can due to this fact match the achievement of the nice Brazil full-back Cafu, who performed in three in a row from 1994 to 2002. Pele and Diego Maradona every solely graced two finals.
His obvious obsession with the World Cup could clarify why he missed a piece of the second half of the season with Actual Madrid. As he nursed accidents, some supporters questioned his dedication to their membership.
“I know people talk about the stats. I watch the TV too. But my only focus is on helping the team and getting us back here on July 19,” he stated after beating Sweden within the final 32 on the MetLife Stadium, the venue for the ultimate.
“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,” he added after defeating Morocco within the quarter-finals.
Yamal and Mbappe are already icons of their house international locations and past, two younger males representing the fashionable face of multicultural Europe.
Mbappe has the better expertise, has already gained the World Cup and is assured talking publicly in English — these elements assist make him one of many faces of this event within the US.
The dazzling Yamal remains to be catching up off the sector, however his report in opposition to Mbappe on the pitch is spectacular.
They’ve met regularly throughout the Clasico divide within the final two years — to this point Mbappe has eight defeats and simply two wins in 10 video games in opposition to Yamal with membership and nation.
