The upcoming World Cup semi-final in Arlington features a compelling narrative as Spain’s teenage sensation Lamine Yamal prepares to face France’s talisman Kylian Mbappe. When Mbappe scored in France's win over Croatia in the 2018 final, he was just 19 years and 207 days old, becoming only the second teenager to score in a World Cup final after a 17-year-old Pele in 1958. While Mbappe's love affair with the tournament began then, this is Yamal's first experience of the competition.
Yamal already achieved a major breakthrough at Euro 2024, where his stunning goal in the semi-final against France helped Spain to a 2-1 victory. That performance came four days before he turned 17, and he was subsequently named young player of the tournament after Spain beat England in the final.
This time, Yamal’s 19th birthday arrives on the eve of the semi-final in Arlington. He is clearly eager to leave a firm mark on this World Cup, perhaps too eager, having at one point been a doubt for the tournament after missing the end of the season with Barcelona due to a hamstring injury. In late May, Yamal admitted he was afraid the injury might be serious or that he could suffer a setback and end up missing the World Cup.
After coming off the bench in Spain's opening 0-0 draw with Cape Verde, Yamal started against Saudi Arabia and scored before being replaced at half-time in a 4-0 victory.
He has started every game since, but without adding to that solitary goal, a situation that might be getting to him. Spain captain Rodri noted on Sunday that he thinks Lamine needs to calm the anxiety he sometimes has because he wants to show how important a player he is for the team. Rodri added that given Yamal was able to show that level of maturity at the European Championship, when he is two years older, you are not so impressed by what he is able to do.
With Yamal not as decisive, Spain have lacked the deadly verticality that made them so hard to stop at the Euros.
France, meanwhile, have rediscovered a cutting edge and possess the most thrilling attack at this World Cup. Mbappe, now 27, is the talisman and seems intent on leaving a legacy as an all-time World Cup great. With eight goals in this tournament, he is level with Lionel Messi in the golden boot race and is one behind the Argentine's all-time World Cup record of 21 goals. Having won the trophy in 2018 and scored a hat-trick in the 2022 final, Mbappe has a third straight final in his sights.
He can match the achievement of the great Brazil full-back Cafu, who played in three in a row from 1994 to 2002, whereas Pele and Diego Maradona each only graced two finals. His apparent obsession with the World Cup may explain why he missed a chunk of the second half of the season with Real Madrid while nursing injuries, leading some supporters to question his commitment to the club.
After beating Sweden in the last 32 at the MetLife Stadium, the venue for the final, Mbappe stated that his only focus is on helping the team and getting them back there on July 19. He added after defeating Morocco in the quarter-finals that while he has won a World Cup and been a runner-up, this current team has done neither of those things, but it is the team with the greatest potential.
Yamal and Mbappe are already icons in their home countries and beyond, representing the modern face of multicultural Europe.
While Mbappe has greater experience and is confident speaking publicly in English, the dazzling Yamal is still catching up off the field. However, his record against Mbappe on the pitch is impressive; they have met frequently across the Clasico divide in the last two years, and so far, Mbappe has eight defeats and just two wins in 10 games against Yamal with club and country.