Spain's Lamine Yamal puts World Cup glory above personal goal record

The 18-year-old has scored only once during the tournament, finding the net in Spain's 4-0 group-stage win over Saudi Arabia. While several of the competition's biggest stars, including Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland and Harry Kane, have been among the goals, Yamal said his focus remains firmly on helping the team succeed.

"Obviously I want to score, but I don't go onto the pitch thinking about that. I do it thinking about helping the team," Yamal said.

"If we win the World Cup, no one will remember whether I scored goals. The important thing is winning."

The Barcelona winger believes his contribution goes well beyond goals, pointing to the attention he attracts from defenders and the space he creates for his teammates.

"I know I can contribute even if I don't score. I know my movements draw in many opponents, so I do everything I can to help the team," he said.

Yamal burst onto the international stage at the age of 16 when he helped Spain win the European Championship two years ago. He scored just once during that tournament, producing a spectacular strike in the semi-final victory over France.

He believes there are similarities with his current World Cup campaign.

"There's an idea that I should be scoring more, like at the Euros, but we won the Euros with me scoring just one goal. And I have one goal here too, so I'm relaxed about it," he said with a smile.

Spain's reward for beating Belgium is a semi-final meeting with France, one of the tournament's most dangerous attacking teams. Yamal, who turns 19 the day before the match, is confident Spain can rise to the challenge.

"There are two possibilities - either they reach three consecutive World Cup finals, or we beat them three times in a row. We'll see what happens," he said.

"We aren't afraid at all."

Spain and France meet in the first World Cup semi-final at Dallas Stadium on Tuesday, 14 July, with a place in the final at stake.

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