Historic Goal by Youngest Player
Lamine Yamal made history by becoming the youngest player to score in a men’s European Championship as Spain edged past France 2-1 to reach Sunday’s Euro 2024 final.
Early Lead for France
France took the lead inside 10 minutes after Randal Kolo Muani headed home from Kylian Mbappé’s cross, but Spain leveled the scores soon after thanks to 16-year-old Yamal’s stunning long-range effort.
Spain Takes the Lead
Dani Olmo then produced a brilliant effort of his own less than five minutes later to put Spain into the lead and it was an advantage La Roja defended stoically until the full-time whistle.
Record-Breaking Victory
Tuesday’s victory also means Spain becomes the first team to win six straight matches at a single European Championship tournament. Luis de la Fuente’s side will now face either the Netherlands or England, who play on Wednesday, in the final as Spain goes in search of a fourth Euros crown.
Yamal’s Remarkable Performance
Yamal, who picked up the man of the match award for his performance, celebrates his 17th birthday the day before the final and said his “goal” was to still be in Germany for the occasion. “We were a goal down and I just got the ball, I didn’t think about it much and then shot towards the goal,” he said, per AFP.
Spain’s Surprising Run
Few had picked Spain to win the tournament, but La Roja has been unequivocally the best team at Euro 2024 and already dispatched host Germany after extra-time in the quarterfinals. The pace and trickery of Yamal and Athletic Bilbao’s 21-year-old winger Nico Williams have been one of the highlights of Spain’s tournament – Rodri’s control in midfield is another – and the pair of young forwards will undoubtedly continue to play a vital role for the national team in the years to come.
France’s Struggles
France, conversely, has struggled for form at the tournament, something that has afflicted many of the so-called bigger teams. Les Bleus hadn’t scored a goal from open play throughout the tournament to reach the semifinals, relying on own goals and a penalty from Mbappé. After sustaining a broken nose in France’s opening group game against Austria, Mbappé has, understandably, not been quite at his best.
Spain’s Resilience
Spain looked rattled and was struggling to contain France’s counterattacks. The 38-year-old Jesus Navas, deputising for the suspended Dani Carvajal at right back, in particular was having a torrid time up against Mbappé. But then the game changed in the blink of an eye, thanks to teenage sensation Yamal. Out of nowhere, the schoolboy, who promised his teachers ahead of the tournament that he would keep up with his homework in Germany, cut back onto his left foot 25 yards from goal and bent a stunning effort off the post and in.
Tactical Changes and Final Minutes
Just after the hour mark, Deschamps rolled the dice. Off came Adrien Rabiot, N’Golo Kanté and goal scorer Kolo Muani, who were replaced by Bradley Barcola, Eduardo Camavinga and the experienced Antoine Griezmann. Clear cut chances were few and far between, however, as France struggled to break down a resolute Spanish defence. After a promising first half, Mbappé was particularly disappointing in the second period. In the final few minutes, a wayward shot that ended up high in the stands when he was well placed inside the box summed up an underwhelming evening for the new Real Madrid star.(jilibet)