Barcelona star Lamine Yamal seeks to emulate Kylian Mbappe by winning the World Cup as a teenager, but his Spain side must first overcome France and their captain, Real Madrid star, in Tuesday's semi-final in Dallas, Texas.

When Mbappe scored in France's 2018 World Cup final win over Croatia, he was just 19 years and 207 days old, becoming only the second teenager to score in a World Cup final after Pele, who was 17 in 1958.

Since then, Mbappe has forged a special relationship with the World Cup, while this tournament is Yamal's first experience.

He already made his big breakthrough at a major tournament, with his stunning goal in the Euro 2024 semi-final against France helping Spain to a 2-1 win.

That came just four days before his 17th birthday, which fell on the eve of the final. Spain beat England, and Yamal was named Young Player of the Tournament.

This time, his 19th birthday falls on the eve of the semi-final in Arlington. Still young, with his best years ahead, he is clearly eager to leave his mark on this World Cup.

Perhaps with excessive zeal, given his participation was in doubt after missing the end of the season with Barcelona due to a hamstring injury.

Yamal said in late May: 'I was afraid the injury was serious, and above all that I might suffer a relapse, even if not serious, and miss the World Cup.'

After coming off the bench in Spain's opening 0-0 draw with Cape Verde, Yamal started against Saudi Arabia and scored before being substituted at half-time in a 4-0 win.

Since then, he has started every match without adding to his goal tally.

Spain captain Rodri said on Sunday: 'I think Lamine needs to lower the anxiety he sometimes feels because he wants to show how important he is to us.'

He added: 'Given the maturity he showed at the Euros, now that he is two years older, what he offers is not surprising.'

With Yamal's finishing less sharp, Spain has missed the deadly vertical threat that made them so hard to stop at the Euros.

In contrast, France has regained the attacking efficiency they lacked at the continental tournament and boast one of the most exciting forward lines in this World Cup.

Mbappe, now 27, is an inspiring captain and seems determined to cement his legacy as one of the World Cup's all-time greats.

With eight goals in this tournament, he is level with Lionel Messi in the Golden Boot race, just one goal behind the Argentine's all-time World Cup record of 21.

After winning the title in 2018 and scoring a hat-trick in the 2022 final that he lost to Argentina, Mbappe has his sights set on reaching a third consecutive final.

That would match the feat of legendary Brazilian full-back Cafu, who played in three consecutive finals from 1994 to 2002, while other Brazilians like Pele and Argentine Diego Maradona only reached two each.

His apparent obsession with the World Cup may explain his absence for part of the second half of the season with Real Madrid, where some fans questioned his commitment to the club while recovering from injuries.

He said after the 3-0 win over Sweden in the round of 32 at MetLife Stadium, which will host the final: 'I know people talk about numbers. I watch TV too. But my only focus is helping the team and coming back here on July 19.'

He added after beating Morocco in the quarter-finals: 'I have won the World Cup and been runner-up. This team has achieved neither, but it is the team with the greatest potential.'

Yamal and Mbappe have already become icons in their countries and beyond, representing the face of modern multicultural Europe.

Mbappe has more experience, has already won a World Cup, and speaks English confidently in public, factors that make him one of the faces of this tournament in the United States.

The brilliant Yamal still matches him off the pitch, but his stats against Mbappe on the pitch are striking. They have faced each other many times over the past two years in 'Clasico' matches, where Mbappe has suffered eight defeats against only two wins in ten encounters with Yamal for club and country.