Yamal aims to steal Mbappe’s World Cup thunder in semi-final showdown.
Written by Boaz Nyabuto on July 13, 2026
Lamine Yamal is hoping to emulate Kylian Mbappe by winning the World Cup as a teenager, but first his Spain side will have to get the better of France and their superstar captain in Tuesday’s semi-final.
When Mbappe scored in France’s win over Croatia in the deciding match of the 2018 tournament, he was just 19 years and 207 days old. He therefore became only the second teenager to score in a World Cup final after a 17-year-old Pele in 1958.
Mbappe’s love affair with the World Cup began then, while this is Yamal’s first experience of the competition.
He has already had his big breakthrough in a major tournament, however –- Yamal’s stunning goal in the Euro 2024 semi-final against Mbappe’s France helped Spain to a 2-1 victory.
That came four days before he turned 17. His birthday was the day before the final. Spain beat England, and Yamal was named young player of the tournament.
This time his 19th birthday comes on the eve of the semi-final in Arlington.
He has already had his big breakthrough in a major tournament, however –- Yamal’s stunning goal in the Euro 2024 semi-final against Mbappe’s France helped Spain to a 2-1 victory.
That came four days before he turned 17. His birthday was the day before the final. Spain beat England, and Yamal was named young player of the tournament.
This time his 19th birthday comes on the eve of the semi-final in Arlington.
