Lamine Yamal etched his name into European Championship lore, becoming the youngest-ever scorer at 16 years and 362 days, as Spain rallied from behind to silence France and secure a spot in the Euro 2024 final.
Spain’s forward #10 Daniel Olmo (C) celebrates with Spain’s forward #19 Lamine Yamal after scoring France’s own goal and Spain’s second goal following his kick during the UEFA Euro 2024 semi-final football match between Spain and France at the Munich Football Arena in Munich on July 9, 2024. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP)
Yamal, aged 16, rewrote history as Spain overcame a deficit to defeat France 2-1 in Munich on Tuesday, booking their place in the Euro 2024 final.
Trailing early after Randal Kolo Muani nodded in a Kylian Mbappe cross in the ninth minute, Spain swiftly turned the tide, netting twice within four minutes against a team that had conceded just once in their previous five tournament matches.
Yamal, who turns 17 the day before Sunday’s final against either the Netherlands or England in Berlin, equalized with a stunning strike from outside the box, curling a long-range effort into the top corner beyond the outstretched reach of goalkeeper Mike Maignan.
Spain seized the lead in the 25th minute, Dani Olmo calmly collecting a loose ball and slotting home a low shot aided by a deflection off Jules Kounde.
Mastering midfield control, Spain adopted a cautious approach after taking the lead, maintaining possession rather than pushing forward, dictating play, and securing victory.
Three-time champions Spain became the first team to win six matches at the Euros and are now one win away from claiming a record-breaking fourth title.
READ ALSO: Yamal, 16, Becomes Youngest European Championship Goalscorer
Finalists in three of the last four major tournaments, questions will be raised over France’s failure to ignite their attack despite boasting formidable offensive talents.
France had only managed three goals before the match, none from open play by a French player, prompting coach Didier Deschamps to bench Antoine Griezmann in favor of Ousmane Dembele.
Yamal created the first scoring chance of the match, floating a curling cross to an unmarked Fabian Ruiz, who narrowly missed from close range.
Minutes later, Mbappe sped down the left wing and delivered a carbon copy of Yamal’s cross, with Kolo Muani’s header finding the target to give France the lead.
While doubts circled around Spain’s veterans Jesus Navas, aged 38, and Nacho, aged 34, who replaced suspended duo Dani Carvajal and Robin Le Normand, younger players Aymeric Laporte and Marc Cucurella were at fault for Kolo Muani’s opening goal.
France’s goal appeared to deflate Spain initially, but it was the youngest player on the field who produced a moment of brilliance to level the scores.
Collecting the ball well outside the box, Yamal cut inside, eyed the goal, and unleashed a perfectly placed curling shot into the top left corner.
Yamal’s goal, coming 13 minutes after France’s opener, sparked Spain’s attack, and La Roja took the lead four minutes later through Olmo.
Olmo leapt acrobatically to control a cleared cross, shrugged off a defender, and unleashed a powerful shot that deflected off Kounde before finding the net.
France’s best chance to force extra time fell to their captain with five minutes remaining, but Mbappe fired well over the bar with only goalkeeper Unai Simon to beat.
