14 July,2026 08:44 AM IST | Boston (US) | Agencies
Spain’s Lamine Yamal during their quarter-final against Belgium last week; (right) France skipper Kylian Mbappe during their win over Morocco last week. Pics/AFP
Defender Ibrahima Konate has responded strongly to teen forward Lamine Yamal's claims that France must be "afraid" of Spain ahead of their blockbuster FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-final tie in Arlington on Tuesday. While speaking from the French camp in Boston, the Real Madrid defender insisted Les Bleus will not fall into such "traps."
Following Spain's quarter-final victory over Belgium, Barcelona sensation Yamal said that France must be wary of the Spaniards given recent history between the two nations - France have lost their last two encounters against Spain in the semi-finals of the Euro 2024 and UEFA Nations League 2025.
However, Konate was having none of Yamal's talk. "Is France afraid of Spain? No. To be completely honest, we don't pay attention to everything that's said leading up to the game," he told reporters.
"We shouldn't be afraid of anyone. The important thing is to maintain the humility with which we started this competition and not fall into those kinds of traps, especially at such a time. He can say whatever he wants. We're going to prepare as best we can, and I hope that, the result will be in our favour," he added.
Konate said that the Kylian Mbappe-led side will not be focusing on one individual only. He believes the strength of Spain as a unit is the real threat. "To be completely honest, we haven't thought specifically about that [strategy for Yamal]. Spain are an exceptional team, with many top-level players. But the goal isn't to focus on just one player, because the whole team can hurt you. It's not just Lamine - it's the whole of Spain,"
he said.
Meanwhile, Spain captain Rodri believes France will pose a very tough challenge. "We can't let that Nations League game, which finished 5-4 after we went 5-1 up, distract us from the reality of where we are now: at a World Cup. I don't think it will be anywhere near as open, and I don't expect us to get as many chances. We're facing a much more solid French side that will be tough to break down, so I expect the game to go in a different direction," the captain concluded.
4
No. of consecutive FIFA World Cup semi-finals won by France
2
This is only the second World Cup meeting between Spain and France; the previous was in a last-16 tie in 2006 (France won 3-1)
2
Spain won the previous two high-stakes clashes vs France (5-4 in UEFA Nations League 2025 semis and 2-1 in the Euro 2024 semis)
Unai Simon vs Mike Maignan
Both goalkeepers have had stellar World Cup campaigns for far. While France's Maignan has conceded only two goals and maintained four clean sheets in six matches, Simon secured five clean sheets in a row before conceding once in their quarter-final against Belgium. A tie-breaker could see the winner of this match decided by their custodians.
Mikel Oyarzabal vs Kylian Mbappe
France skipper Mbappe is the leading scorer of the tournament with eight goals in six games, while Oyarzabal has netted for Spain the most - four in six matches. Mbappe boasts three assists as well, in comparison to Oyarzabal's one.
Lamine Yamal vs Michael Olise
Two of the brightest talents in world football and key playmakers for their respective sides, France's Olise is the assist leader in the tournament, with five. Though Yamal has made just one assist, he scored one goal and also averages the most dribbles per 90 minutes, at 12, which means he can create chances on the fly.
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