Yamal leads Spain past France to World Cup final

Spain's teenage sensation Lamine Yamal celebrated his 19th birthday by helping his nation secure a spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, as Spain defeated France 2-0 in a semifinal match in Dallas on July 14. The victory sends Spain to its second World Cup final in history, with the team set to play for the trophy on July 18.

The Barcelona winger, who turned 19 on July 13, has maintained a remarkable personal record, having now started 12 combined matches for Spain at the World Cup and European Championships and ending on the winning side in all 12. While he has scored only once in this World Cup, his overall contribution has been pivotal to Spain's deep tournament run, which included narrow victories over Portugal and Belgium in the knockout stages.

Ahead of the high-stakes semifinal, Yamal addressed the media with a message of unity, responding to controversial remarks about the French team's composition. He stated that football should serve as a bridge, highlighting Spain and France as examples of integration. He described the match as the most important of his life but expressed no concern over his personal goal tally, emphasizing the team's success.