Lamine Yamal is stirring the pot ahead of a potential showdown with France in the World Cup knockouts, reigniting one of football’s fiercest rivalries. The young Spanish forward made it clear that he believes Spain holds the upper hand, stating, “No. They haven’t beaten us since the Euros. They can’t be better than us.”
In a recent interview with El Partidazo de COPE, Yamal acknowledged France’s impressive roster but insisted that Spain remains unmatched. “They’re at an excellent level, have wonderful players, but I don’t think they’re above anyone. For me, there’s no one above Spain,” he declared confidently.
Historically, Spain has had the upper hand in their recent encounters, including a 2-1 victory in the Euro 2024 semifinals and a thrilling 5-4 win in the UEFA Nations League semifinals. However, as the World Cup progresses, France has been on a winning streak, having swept through Group I and eliminating Sweden in the Round of 32.
Spain, on the other hand, has faced some challenges. After a goalless draw against Cape Verde, they secured wins against Saudi Arabia (4-0) and Uruguay (1-0) in Group H.
As Spain prepares to face Austria in the Round of 32, Yamal remains optimistic about the team’s potential. “It’s true that everyone expected us to play better, but we faced different types of teams, none of them European,” he explained. “There were a lot of stoppages. The game against Saudi Arabia was good, and the Cape Verde match was the opener.”
Yamal believes that once Spain finds its rhythm, they will become a formidable force. “I don’t think we’ve played a really great match yet… Once we hit our stride — and we definitely will — we’ll be almost unstoppable,” he added.
Despite dealing with a hamstring injury, Yamal is eager to contribute to his team’s success. He is expected to be ready for Thursday’s match, although he may not play the full 90 minutes as a precaution.
As the World Cup heats up, fans are left wondering: can Spain truly rise to the occasion and take down their rivals?
