Lamine Yamal says France should fear Spain in their much-anticipated World Cup semifinal

INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — Lamine Yamal thinks France should be afraid of Spain with the European giants headed to a World Cup semifinal showdown on Tuesday.

“I believe if France has to fear anyone, it should be us, in my opinion," the teenage sensation told broadcast reporters after Spain beat Belgium 2-1 on Friday to secure its first semifinal berth since 2010. "We were the ones who knocked them out before.”

Spain beat France in the 2024 European Championship semifinals and again in Nations League play last year. Yamal became the youngest player to score in the continental competition.

The powerhouses meet again at the home stadium of the Dallas Cowboys next week for a spot in the final.

“We don’t fear anyone,” said Yamal, who was named the man of the match against Belgium. "It’s clear that we are two great teams, world-class national teams, and for me they are one of the best. We’ll see what happens.”

Spain advanced on a winning goal by substitute Mikel Merino in the 88th minute of the quarterfinals at SoFi Stadium. La Roja conceded its only goal of the entire World Cup late in the first half against Belgium, while France has piled up 16 goals in its six World Cup matches.

France has made the past two World Cup finals, winning it all in 2018. Spain has made only one World Cup final in its history, but the current team is unbeaten in 37 consecutive competitive matches since March 2023 — a stretch that also includes a loss on penalties to Portugal in the Nations League final last year.

Spain coach Luis de la Fuente has been asked by the international media about this potential showdown with France throughout the tournament, but particularly since the start of the knockout rounds two weeks ago. He has been uniformly complimentary of Les Bleus while echoing his own players' confidence.

“Let me be clear: We are not finished,” de la Fuente said. “We are pleased to be in the semifinals, but we want more. ... We are capable of winning this game, and not just now, but I would have said this a few weeks ago as well."

Yamal, who turns 19 on Monday, has only one goal and no assists while putting 10 shots on target in his first World Cup, but his playmaking and activity down the right side of Spain's attack have been noticeable in almost every match. He started the sequence that led to Spain's first goal against Belgium in a two-man game with Pedro Porro, eventually leading to Fabián Ruiz's rebound goal off Dani Olmo's shot.

Yamal said his modest statistics don't bother him, noting that he also scored only one goal (with four assists) while Spain won the European Championship two years ago.

Although Spain needed a late goal from Merino to win for the second straight match, Yamal believes his team is ready for the challenge of the World Cup's dominant team so far. Yamal cited Spain's acumen in ball possession — a stat they've repeatedly dominated during this World Cup — as a way to take France out of its preferred style of play.

“I think we were much better, (than Belgium)," Yamal said. "It seems like we’re playing very beautiful football, but in reality, there isn’t a team that plays against us on equal footing. Everyone drops back, and that makes it more difficult. Nobody has gone toe-to-toe with us. But in the end, we secured the win.”

See more of AP’s World Cup coverage here

Spain's Lamine Yamal (19), wearing a headband that says 'Ego Yamal', controls the ball during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Spain and Belgium in Inglewood, Calif., near Los Angeles, Friday, July 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)

Spain's Lamine Yamal, wearing a headband that says 'Ego Yamal', comes out for warm up ahead of the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Spain and Belgium in Inglewood, Calif., near Los Angeles, Friday, July 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

Spain's Lamine Yamal (19) and Nico Williams (17) celebrate in front of Belgium's Joaquin Seys (18) after the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Spain and Belgium in Inglewood, Calif., near Los Angeles, Friday, July 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Marcio J. Sanchez)

Spain's Lamine Yamal (19) celebrates at the end of the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Spain and Belgium in Inglewood, Calif., near Los Angeles, Friday, July 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

DENVER--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sep 9, 2026--

Uniting Wealth Partners is pleased to announce that Ben R. McLintock, J.D., LL.M., CFP ®, CFRE ®, has joined the firm to lead its advanced planning efforts, strengthening the firm's ability to help clients navigate complex wealth, estate, tax, business succession and legacy planning needs.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260909609199/en/

McLintock brings extensive experience across wealth management, law, tax and estate planning, charitable giving and business succession. Most recently, he served as senior vice president and senior wealth advisor with Arvest Wealth Management, advising affluent and high-net-worth clients on complex financial, investment, tax, estate and asset-protection needs.

“Ben brings exactly the kind of multidisciplinary thinking we want at the center of advanced planning at Uniting Wealth Partners,” said Jay Hummel, managing partner. “The most important financial decisions our clients face rarely fit neatly into one category. They often involve the intersection of investments, taxes, estate planning, family dynamics, business interests and charitable goals. Ben has spent his career working at those intersections, and his ability to assist in turning complexity into clear, actionable strategies will be a tremendous resource for our clients and advisors.”

McLintock has more than two decades of experience working with affluent and high-net-worth clients and in tax and charitable gift planning. He has spent 15 years developing multi-generational legacy and asset-protection strategies and 11 years providing comprehensive planning recommendations to closely held businesses.

“Joining Uniting Wealth Partners is a tremendous opportunity to bring together the disciplines that have shaped my career and apply them in a deeply client-centered environment,” said McLintock. “Advanced planning starts with understanding what matters most to a family or business owner, identifying the issues that could stand in the way of those goals. I'm excited to help expand the resources Uniting Wealth Partners can bring to our clients and their families.”

McLintock holds a Juris Doctor from the University of Arkansas School of Law and an LL.M. in Taxation from the University of Alabama School of Law. He is an Arkansas-licensed attorney, a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional and a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE ® ).

His community involvement has included service on the board of directors for the Arkansas Community Foundation and longstanding involvement with the Northwest Arkansas Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. In November, he will receive the chapter's Ernie Lawrence Professional Advisor Award in recognition of his work helping clients pursue their charitable giving goals and promoting charitable giving in the community.

About Uniting Wealth Partners: Uniting Wealth Partners, (“UWP”) is a registered investment advisor (RIA) offering a differentiated model designed by and for advisors. Founded by industry professionals, UWP provides advisors with the support and resources needed to grow their practices, enhance enterprise value, and pursue succession planning on their terms. Learn more at unitingwealthpartners.com. UWP provides investment advisory and related services to clients nationwide and maintains all required registrations and licenses in the jurisdictions where it conducts business.

Ben McLintock, J.D., LL.M., CFP®, CFRE® to Lead Advanced Planning at Uniting Wealth Partners