ARLINGTON, Texas : Spain teenager Lamine Yamal wasted little time looking ahead to the World Cup final after helping his side beat France 2-0 in the semi-finals, posting a brief message on social media declaring their next destination.
Shortly after Spain booked their place in Sunday’s final, the 19-year-old shared match photos on Instagram with the caption: “nuevayol vamos por ti” (“New York, we’re coming for you”).
Yamal played a key role in Spain’s victory at AT&T Stadium, becoming one of two teenagers, alongside Pau Cubarsi, to start for La Roja in the semi-final — the first time two teenagers have started for the same team in a World Cup semi-final.
Spain controlled the contest to reach their first World Cup final since lifting the trophy in South Africa in 2010.
Yamal helped create the opening goal in the 22nd minute when he won possession from Lucas Digne before being fouled inside the penalty area. Mikel Oyarzabal converted the resulting spot kick to give Spain the lead.
Pedro Porro doubled Spain’s advantage shortly before the hour mark after combining with Dani Olmo, while Yamal later had a goal ruled out for offside.
France threatened sporadically through Kylian Mbappe and Aurelien Tchouameni, but Spain’s defence held firm to register its sixth clean sheet in seven matches at the tournament.
The victory sent Spain into only the second World Cup final in the country’s history, where they will face either defending champions Argentina or England at New York New Jersey Stadium on Sunday.
Yamal’s post underlined Spain’s focus on the title decider as Luis de la Fuente’s side moved within one victory of a second World Cup crown.
