Spain’s Lamine Yamal, aged just 16, made history as the youngest goal scorer in Euro Championships history. In the first semifinal match against France, Spain emerged victorious with a 2-1 win. The team, known as La Roja, now anticipates the outcome of the England versus France second semifinal.
In a thrilling first half on Tuesday, Spain swiftly scored twice to secure a remarkable comeback victory over France, finishing 2-1. A momentous goal by the teenage sensation Lamine Yamal and a goal from Dani Olmo propelled Spain into the Euro 2024 final.
Yamal, a 16-year-old talent, equalized Randal Kolo Muani’s initial goal with a remarkable strike in the 21st minute, setting a record as the youngest scorer in Euro or World Cup history. Olmo then added another goal in the 25th minute, his third in the knockout stage.
The undefeated Spaniards reinforced their status as favorites in the tournament by showcasing their attacking prowess, especially in the first half, a departure from their previous tiki-taka style that brought them world and European championships over ten years ago.
They are set to confront the victors of Wednesday’s clash between England and the Netherlands in Sunday’s final in Berlin, as they endeavor to secure an unprecedented fourth European title.
France’s tournament ended on an anticlimactic note as the 2022 World Cup finalists failed to meet expectations in Germany, struggling with a notably low conversion rate that also persisted in the semifinal.
“Spain demonstrated tonight that they are a formidable team. While we were lucky to score first, they posed challenges as they dominated in terms of possession,” remarked France coach Didier Deschamps.
“Tonight, they showcased their full array of strengths. Perhaps we were slightly fatigued, leading to some lapses in execution, particularly in the flow of the game. Our offensive efforts fell short.”
Spain’s Youngest Star Yamal Shines as They Defeat France in Euro 2024 Semifinal
Spain had an early opportunity when Yamal, the youngest player ever to participate in a World Cup or Euro semifinal, delivered a cross to the far post. However, Fabian Ruiz’s header sailed over the bar.
France capitalized on a similar play in the ninth minute, as Kylian Mbappe, playing without a protective mask following a recent nose injury, provided a cross for Kolo Muani to score their first goal from open play at Euro 2024.
The absence of suspended Dani Carvajal and Robin Le Normand, along with the injured Pedri, did not hinder the Spaniards’ rapid turnaround in the game.
Yamal’s spectacular left-footed strike from 25 meters, which hit the post before finding the net, set a new record previously held by the Brazilian legend Pele as the youngest scorer in a Euro or World Cup tournament.
Without giving France a chance to regroup, Olmo sealed their swift comeback in the 25th minute with a goal deflected in by France’s Jules Kounde.
France, who had allowed just one goal in their last five matches of the tournament, stepped up the pace in the second half and created opportunities with Mbappe and Theo Hernandez.
Nevertheless, they couldn’t find a way to score an equalizer as Spain regrouped and effectively dealt with the pressure.
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