The Euro 2024 semifinal clash between France and Spain proved an ever-time classic, as football fans had expected, and from Kylian Mbappe's beautiful assist to Lamine Yamal's wondergoal and a clutch finish from Dani Olmo, the fixture's every minute proved worth watching.
Kicking in the match, Lamine Yamal broke the record of becoming the youngest player to ever feature in a World Cup/Euro semifinal. However, Yamal had more plans, as this was just the beginning of his registering his name in the golden history of the game.
Yamal's wondergoal against France
Just eight minutes into the electrifying clash, an elegant assist from Kylian Mbappe found Kolo Muani in place, and the striker made it past Unai Simon's reach, making it 1-0 for France. The next few minutes showed France cementing their hold in the semifinal.
However, it was not much later that the Golden Boy of Spain, Lamine Yamal, scored an inch-perfect beauty to tie the fixture. What made it even more special was the fact that Adrien Rabiot got the first-row seat for the brilliant golazo, shushing the Frenchman, who was trying to play mind tactics ahead of their Euro clash.
Not long ahead, Dani Olmo's finish made it 2-1 for La Roja. The shot came deflected from Jules Kounde, though it officially counted as Olmo's goal. The 2-1 victory made Spain the first team to win six consecutive fixtures at the Euros, helping them advance to the Euro finals, scheduled in Berlin.
Though it was a collective effort from De La Fuente's men, Lamal's wonder piece captured the spotlight. Speaking about the goal, the Spanish boss said,
""That's the work of a genius. It's difficult to describe that in words.""De La Fuente
Lamine Yamal on his MOTM performance
Moreover, the young sensation was overjoyed after his masterclass performance, in his own words,
"“Very happy to be in the final, the goal came in difficult moments, I got the ball, I didn't think, it went in.”"Lamine Yamal(via post match interview)
Becoming the youngest-ever goal scorer at an International tournament, Yamal bagged the MOTM award for his play in the semifinal. With the Final being the youngster's next target, Yamal wants to add that Euro trophy to Spain's cabinet, he said,
"“I now ask to win the final. I also wanted to celebrate my birthday in Germany and I’m very happy”"Lamine Yamal(via post match interview)
Yamal looks forward to celebrating his 17th birthday in Germany with the Euro trophy in his hands. The way Spain has performed so far in the tournament assures that they will surely put up a show on 15th July in the Berlin Final.