Lamine Yamal seeks spark before France semi as Spain urge patience | OneFootball

Lamine Yamal is still chasing a defining World Cup display as Spain prepare to face France on Tuesday, a campaign of moments rather than end product so far.

The Barcelona teenager has one goal in 405 minutes, scored in a 4-0 group win over Saudi Arabia. "I have never left a pitch angry because I have not scored... I wanted more, be more decisive," he told Mundo Deportivo last week.

He took MVP in the round of 32 against Austria, a 3-0 victory. In the last 16 versus Portugal, 1-0, Nuno Mendes repeatedly won their duels until departing injured shortly before the hour.

In Friday’s quarter-final in Los Angeles, Spain beat Belgium 2-1 and Yamal supplied the opener, disguising his intent before slipping in Pedro Porro.

His end product is under scrutiny, with no assists so far at this tournament. At the Euros he managed four, three in the knockouts, and he has seven goals in 31 caps. Notably, he struck three in two previous meetings with France.

Recovering from a left thigh injury on 22 April, he says he is feeling better each week and turns 19 on Monday. After Belgium he stressed he won the Euros with one goal and that collective success matters most.

Luis de la Fuente defended his Portugal display as formative and said Yamal’s off-ball work unsettled opponents. The coach added they are tempering the youngster’s desire so it does not become anxiety, reiterating that his best attacking version is yet to come.

Source: L'Équipe