Lamine Yamal earns World Cup MVP as Spain defeats Belgium and warns France ahead of semifinal

Spain winger Lamine Yamal was voted the tournament’s player of the match after his side beat Belgium 2-1 in the World Cup quarter‑finals in Los Angeles. The fan‑driven award, introduced by FIFA in 2010, sparked debate over the voting process, but Yamal secured the accolade despite modest statistics.

Following the win, Yamal told reporters that France should fear Spain ahead of their upcoming semifinal clash, recalling previous victories over the French side in Euro 2024 and the UEFA Nations League. He emphasized that both teams are the tournament’s top contenders and expressed confidence that Spain can win the title.

Yamal also sparked a viral moment by naming Cristiano Ronaldo as the prime example of a footballer’s “aura” when asked about the term, highlighting the veteran’s lasting influence across generations.