Five knockouts, five wins: Yamal takes perfect record against Mbappe into semifinal

The 2026 World Cup semifinal between Spain and France has set up one of the tournament's biggest individual duels, with Lamine Yamal facing Kylian Mbappe for a sixth knockout meeting.

Yamal heads into Tuesday's clash in Dallas with a perfect 5-0 record against the France captain in knockout matches for club and country.

The teenage winger has enjoyed a remarkable run against the Real Madrid star both with his club Barcelona and with La Roja.

The pair first met in a knockout match at UEFA Euro 2024, when Spain beat France 2-1 in the semifinals. Yamal scored once in the victory.

They met again in the 2025 UEFA Nations League semifinals, where Spain edged France 5-4. Yamal scored twice, while Mbappe found the net once.

At club level, Yamal has also come out on top in all three domestic knockout meetings.

Barcelona defeated Real Madrid 5-2 in the 2025 Spanish Super Cup final, with both Yamal and Mbappe scoring once.

The Catalan club followed that with a 3-2 victory in the 2025 Copa del Rey final. Mbappe scored for Madrid, but Barcelona lifted the trophy.

Earlier this year, Barcelona claimed another 3-2 win over Real Madrid in the 2026 Spanish Super Cup final, extending Yamal's unbeaten knockout record against Mbappe. Neither player scored in that game.

In the ongoing tournament, Mbappe is jointly leading the goal-scorer’s chart with eight goals alongside Argentina’s Lionel Messi while Yamal is yet to get on the scoring sheet.

Wednesday's meeting offers Mbappe a chance to end Yamal's winning streak, while the Spain winger will aim to extend it and help his side reach the World Cup final.