Yamal Leads Mbappé 7-3 in 10 Meetings as France, Spain Clash in World Cup Semifinal

Q: Mbappé has more goals, but Yamal has more wins. Who will truly dominate their World Cup semifinal showdown?

Spain, and by extension Lamine Yamal’s side, dominated the semifinal. Spain beat France 2-0 in Dallas to reach the World Cup final, so the decisive answer is that Yamal’s team won the showdown even if Mbappé arrived with the stronger individual scoring numbers. The result fit the broader pattern in their rivalry. Mbappé came into the match with more goals overall and eight goals in this World Cup, but Yamal had already been on the winning side in most of their previous meetings, with Spain also having beaten France in the Euro 2024 and Nations League 2025 semifinals. That trend continued on the biggest stage. The match itself underlined why. Spain’s structure and defense were superior, limiting France to only 0.3 expected goals from 10 shots and just three on target. Mbappé, despite being fully fit and one of the tournament’s standout scorers, was effectively contained. Spain were clinical, scoring twice and controlling the key moments. Yamal did not need to outscore Mbappé to shape the game. Reports indicate he played an important role in Spain’s opener by winning the foul that led to the penalty, while Spain’s collective pressing, possession control and defensive discipline decided the contest. Rodri’s control in midfield and Spain’s ability to disrupt France’s transitions were central. So if the question is who truly dominated the semifinal, the answer is Spain collectively, with Yamal again ending up on the winning side of this rivalry.

Q: France’s flawless attack meets Spain’s unbreakable defense. Which team's perfect record will shatter in Dallas today?

Spain’s unbeaten run looks more likely to end in Dallas. France arrive with the sharper statistical edge in this tournament: six wins from six, 16 goals scored, no goals conceded in the knockout stage, and Kylian Mbappé in devastating form with eight World Cup goals. Their attack has been the most productive left in the field, with Michael Olise and Ousmane Dembele also giving Didier Deschamps multiple ways to hurt opponents. Spain’s case is built on control and resistance. They have conceded only once in the tournament and are unbeaten in 36 internationals over the past 28 months. Lamine Yamal’s record against Mbappé is also striking, with Spain and Barcelona repeatedly getting the better of him in recent major meetings. That gives Spain a real psychological and tactical platform. But the balance of predictions leans toward France. Opta’s model gives France the better chance of winning in regulation time, 42.1% to Spain’s 31.8%, with extra time at 26.1%. Other expert forecasts also tilt toward a French win, even if narrowly. The key matchup is whether Spain’s counter-press and possession game can stop France’s direct speed in transition; if not, Mbappé and France’s front line are well placed to break through. So if one “perfect” record is to shatter, the stronger evidence points to Spain’s unbeaten streak and defensive aura giving way against France’s attack.

3 articles · Updated · Yahoo Sports · Jul 14

Ten prior meetings give Lamine Yamal a 7-3 edge over Kylian Mbappé before Spain face France on July 14 in Dallas for a place in the World Cup final.
Mbappé has the stronger direct production line with 9 goals and 2 assists against Yamal’s teams, while Yamal has 5 goals and 3 assists.
Yamal still owns the bigger silverware record, winning five trophies over Mbappé — including Euro 2024, two La Liga titles, two Spanish Super Cups and a Copa del Rey — while Mbappé has none against him.
Both stars have appeared in every match for their countries at the 2026 World Cup and are among the leading Ballon d'Or contenders heading into the semifinal.