The image first captured global attention in 2024

When the world tuned in to the 2026 World Cup semi-final between Spain and France, all eyes were fixed on the superstars. The pre-match narrative was dominated by Kylian Mbappe's lethal finishing, Michael Olise's fluid football and the brilliance of Lamine Yamal.

Burglars tried to break in to the Barcelona home of Spain star Lamine Yamal on Wednesday, shortly after he helped La Roja reach their second World Cup final, police and media said.

The headband featured the inscriptions "08304" and "Rocafonda", a tribute to the neighbourhood in Mataró where Yamal grew up. The number 08304 was the area's postal code, while Rocafonda was the community the teenager proudly considered home.

France recalled Bradley Barcola to their attack and Aurelien Tchouameni in midfield for their World Cup semifinal against Spain on Wednesday as Luis de la Fuente named an unchanged side.

Witness Spanish football star Lamine Yamal balance global stardom with family devotion. The Barcelona winger shares his World Cup victories with toddler brother Keyne, proving emotional groundedness drives elite performance for the new generational icon.

Lamine Yamal turned 19 on Monday with diamonds around his neck, mischief in the family and the biggest match of his life ahead but the Spain forward's clearest message before the World Cup semi-final against France was not about goals, gifts or fame.

The dazzling Yamal is still catching up off the field, but his record against Mbappe on the pitch is impressive.

France vs Spain, 1am, Wednesday [Bangladesh Time] Argentina vs England, 1am, Thursday [Bangladesh Time]

Ultimately, this high-stakes encounter near Hollywood lights faithfully mirrored the storied bracket of 1994, leaving the World Cup poised for further high-drama fixtures.

Keyne has quietly become one of its most recognisable faces in the stands, with his joyful celebrations, playful personality.

Yamal was once again named Superior Player of the Match after another standout display, with Mikel Merino scoring a late winner at Los Angeles Stadium to seal Spain's place in the semifinals.

Lamine Yamal said if Spain wins the World Cup, nobody will care about his failure to score, after the teen superstar was again absent from the scoresheet in his side's 2-1 quarter-final win over Belgium on Saturday.

Will Spain continue to impress or can the Belgians stun them to make the semis?

The Spanish wunderkid believes his best performances come when the stakes are highest.

During the build-up to the 2026 World Cup, this was expected to be the tournament where teenage sensation Lamine Yamal would dazzle on the biggest stage, carrying on the breathtaking form he has shown for Barcelona in recent years.

What do you need to turn fortunes around in a tournament?

The day I finally saw Cristiano Ronaldo live, it was his last match in a Portugal shirt at the World Cup -- against Spain in a Round of 16 clash in Dallas last Monday.

For the first time since their title-winning run in 2010, Spain are back in the World Cup quarter-finals. And once again, they are doing it with the kind of defensive steel that once carried them to football’s summit.

"For me, Lamine has played one of the most important matches of his life," de la Fuente said. "Beyond whether he was brilliant or not, for me it has been one of the matches that will help him grow the most."