Lamine Yamal fires warning to France as Spain reach World Cup semi-final

Lamine Yamal insists Spain are not afraid of France ahead of their World Cup semi-final (Shutterstock)

Lamine Yamal insists Spain are not afraid of France after beating Belgium to reach the World Cup semi-final.

Mikel Merino struck in the 88th minute to seal Spain’s 2-1 win over Belgium on Friday, which has set up a semi-final tie against France on July 14.

France, meanwhile, have been the standout team of the World Cup so far and secured their place in the semi-final with an impressive 2-0 win over Morocco on Thursday.

But speaking after Spain’s last-gasp victory over Belgium, Yamal is adamant that France should not be featured.

‘We came to the semi-final for this, to play these matches and win them. Now, it’s time to rest and focus on the match against France,’ Yamal said.

‘We beat France the last two times we played them. We’re not afraid.

Mikel Merino’s late goal sealed Spain’s 2-1 win over Belgium (Shutterstock)

‘There are two options… either they reach three consecutive World Cup finals, or we beat them three times.

‘I don’t know what might happen, but we’re not afraid.’

France reached the World Cup semi-final with a 2-0 win over Morocco (AP Photo)

Meanwhile, Spain head coach, Luis de la Fuente, has labelled France as ‘one of the teams that has played the best in the World Cup’, but insists his side will try to take the game to Didier Deschamps’ men.

‘It’s legitimate and fair to think that we’re going to work to try and beat France,’ De la Fuente said.

‘I think they’ll be just as worried. We’re the only team in the world that has managed to beat them two games in a row, we’ve done it.

‘But this third game is going to be different. Two great teams are going to face off.’

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