Munich: In a major achievement, 16-year-old Lamine Yamal became the tournament’s youngest-ever goalscorer as Spain defeated France 2-1 in Munich on Tuesday to reach the Euro 2024 final.
After Randal Kolo Muani scored from a Kylian Mbappe cross in the ninth minute, Spain turned the match around with two goals in four minutes, overcoming a team that had only conceded once in their previous five games.
Yamal, who turns 17 the day before Sunday’s championship match between the Netherlands and England, levelled with an incredible long-range shot that curled into the top corner and went beyond Mike Maignan’s fingertips in the air.
In the 25th minute, Dani Olmo cleverly gathered a stray ball after it deflected off Jules Kounde and sent a low shot into the net to give Spain the lead.
Regarding his incredible stroke, Yamal remarked, “I got the ball, didn’t think about it for too long and just shot.” “I’m just enjoying myself and I’m proud to be in the final.”
Three-time champions A little match away from securing a fourth championship, Spain created history by being the first squad to win six games in a European Championship.
Olmo told ZDF, “We are just one step away from glory.” We have a very tight bond. This group is amazing. We’re worthy of it.”
Spain will play in a major tournament final for the first time this weekend in Berlin, following their stunning 4-0 victory over Italy in the Euro 2012 final.
Spain, who are masters at controlling midfield games, shut down as soon as they got the lead. They often held possession instead of counterattacking, which allowed them to dominate the game and win.
French coach Didier Deschamps stated, “They’re a very good team, we knew that, they showed it tonight even if we were able to open the scoring.”
“They caused us difficulties by controlling the game better, even though we kept trying until the end.”
France, finalists in three of the last four international competitions, will be questioned about why, despite having plenty of attacking talent, they couldn’t generate early pressure.
Despite not wearing the mask he had been wearing since injuring his nose in France’s opening match against Austria, Mbappe once more found it difficult to have a significant influence.
The penalty he scored in last month’s 1-1 group-stage draw with Poland remains the Real Madrid-bound striker’s solitary goal in nine career Euro outings.
France takes an early attack
Before the game, France had only scored three goals in Germany, none of which had been scored by a French player through open play. In response, Deschamps benched striker Antoine Griezmann in favour of Ousmane Dembele.
Four minutes in, Yamal provided the opening opportunity of the game by lofting a curling cross to an unmarked Fabian Ruiz, who headed over from close range.
After Mbappe glided down the left wing and attempted a replica of Yamal’s cross four minutes later, Kolo Muani’s header gave France the lead.
Kolo Muani’s opening goal came from a mistake by young players Aymeric Laporte and Marc Cucurella. However, before the match, concerns were directed at Spain’s veterans Jesus Navas, 38, and Nacho, 34, who replaced the suspended Dani Carvajal and Robin Le Normand.
Spain appeared to be losing the match after France’s goal, but the game’s youngest player pulled off a brilliant move to tie the score.
Yamal, receiving the ball well outside the area, cut inside, glanced at the goal, and unleashed a perfect curling strike into the upper left corner.
With this goal, Yamal, who already has three assists at Euro 2024, became the youngest goal scorer in the competition’s history by one and a half years.
Twelve minutes after France’s first goal, Lamal’s goal roused Spain, and Olmo gave La Roja the lead four minutes later.
After a clearing cross was collected, Olmo leaped acrobatically, ducked under a defender, and blasted goalward; his strike deflected off Kounde and bounced in.
With five minutes left, France’s captain had the best chance to force overtime, but Mbappe missed wide with only goalkeeper Unai Simon to beat.