16-year-old Barcelona whizkid, Lamine Yamal, became the youngest goalscorer in European Championship history with his scintillating strike against France last night.
Yamal lit up Euro 2024, broke records, and proved a point to Adrien Rabiot with his stunning goal for Spain to level things up early last night, in a high-stakes semi-final tie at Munich’s Allianz Arena.
After scoring the goal against France, Yamal shouted, “Speak now, speak now,” while looking into the television cameras.
Yamal (16 years and 362 days) is now the youngest player to score in a major tournament, having bypassed Brazil’s Pele (17 years and 239 days).
Yamal’s Historic Moment
With 21 minutes remaining and trailing by a goal, Yamal worked his magic outside the penalty area after receiving the ball from captain Álvaro Morata, shifting it onto his left foot, and darting past Rabiot.
The Barcelona winger sent a curling strike from 25 yards towards the top corner beyond the diving Mike Maignan, hitting the post before it flew into the back of the net — a sensational finish that stunned everyone.
So far, the Spanish star has been doing great and making waves with his awesome performances at the Euros, scoring what could arguably be the goal of the tournament.
Yamal will turn 17 on Saturday, a day before the final in Berlin against either England or the Netherlands.
“I only ask to win, win and win,” said Yamal, who was voted player of the match. “I will celebrate my birthday in Germany with my team.”
Above the screamer he scored last night, Yamal has displayed his passing acumen throughout the Euros, having made three assists, including a perfectly weighted pass to tee up Olmo against Germany in the quarter-finals.
Fuelling the Fire: Rabiot’s Words
It was also a moment of reflection for Rabiot, who insisted before the game that Yamal needed to show “much more” to guide Spain into Sunday’s final.
“We saw that he was a player who knew how to handle pressure very well,” Rabiot said of Yamal.
“He has a lot of qualities. He is capable of playing with his qualities at club level as well as in major tournaments, without pressure.
“Afterward, it is always complicated to manage a semi-final in a tournament like that, but it will be up to us to put the pressure on him, above all, not to let him feel comfortable and to show him that to play in a Euro final, he will have to do much more than what he has done so far.”
“Move in silence, only speak when it is time to say checkmate.”
Lamine Yamal’s response.
Yamal appeared to answer those comments from Rabiot in a subsequent cryptic post on Instagram, which read: “Move in silence, only speak when it is time to say checkmate.”
France has scored just five goals in their five Euro 2024 games, one being an own goal and two penalties, and their one goal against Spain last night.
Match Report
Les Bleus got off to an excellent start. Mbappé quickly appeared on the left side of the penalty area, evading his marker, and sent a precise cross to the back post.
Kolo Muani rose above the rest in the box, directing a powerful header into the top corner, giving Deschamps’ team the lead in the semi-final.
After Yamal levelled the scoreline with his screamer, Navas crossed into the penalty area from the right-hand side and it was headed away, but only as far as Olmo who took a superb touch before working it onto his right and striking towards the bottom corner.
Koundé stuck a leg out in a frantic attempt to keep the ball out, but it cannoned off him and went into the back of the net to complete Spain’s comeback.
Going into the match, Deschamps knew that La Roja was in great form, having won 15 of their 19 matches since the beginning of 2023. During this period, Spain’s 79% win rate is the best of all European nations.
Spain’s recent winning streak is partly thanks to the amazing performances of Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams.
Yamal has been outstanding, creating 14 opportunities for his Spain teammates in this competition, which is the most by a Spaniard at a major tournament since Xavi at Euro 2012 with 25 chances created (Opta).
Spain now awaits the results of tonight’s fixture to know whether they will be facing England or the Netherlands in the Finals on Sunday.
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