“He needs to calm down a bit”

Spain captain Rodri said that young attacker Lamine Yamal will need to be calmer ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup semi-final with two-time champions France on Tuesday (July 14) at Dallas Stadium, Arlington.

Luis de la Fuente’s side are coming off a hard-fought 2-1 win over 2018 semi-finalists Belgium in the quarter-final on Friday (July 10) at Los Angeles Stadium, Inglewood.

Following Fabian Ruiz’s 30th-minute opener, La Roja conceded their first FIFA World Cup goal in nearly 11 hours when Charles De Ketelaere scored the equaliser for the Red Devils four minutes before the break.

However, substiute Mikel Merino pounced on a mistake by Belgian goalkeeper Senne Lammens to send the 2010 champions through to the semis for the first time since their title-winning campaign in 2010.

Post-game, Rodri said that Yamal – who didn’t record a goal contribution against the Red Devils – remains a work in progress despite his incredible talent, urging the youngster to control his anxiety:

“He needs to calm down a bit that anxiety he sometimes feels, that urge to prove himself,” Rodri said (as per Actu Foot). “He’s an incredible player who still has progress to make to understand the flow of a match, normal at his age.”

La Roja now face a rematch of the Euro 2024 semi-final against Les Bleus, which they won 2-1 enroute winning the title, as they chase their second FIFA World Cup title.

“The important thing is winning” – Spain’s Lamine Yamal ahead of 2026 FIFA World Cup clash with France

Spain attacker Lamine Yamal isn’t too concerned about his lack of goals at the 2026 FIFA World Cup as long as the team continue winning games, ahead of the last-four clash with France.

Playing his maiden World Cup, the 18-year-old Yamal has scored once in six games as La Roja look to complete the European Championship-World Cup double for the second time.

“Obviously I want to score, but I don’t go onto the pitch thinking about that,” he said (as per Al Jazeera). “I do it thinking about helping the team. If we win the World Cup, no one will remember whether I scored goals … The important thing is winning,” said the Barcelona star, after the victory in Los Angeles set up a semifinal clash with France.

“I know I can contribute even if I don’t score. I know my movements draw in many opponents, so I do everything I can to help the team.”

Lamine Yamal scored a memorable goal as Spain beat France in the Euro 2024 semi-final, finishing the competition with a goal contribution in all four knockout games, netting once.