Lamine Yamal became the youngest scorer in European Championship history as the Spanish national team made a huge comeback after going behind against France in their semifinal match of the Euro 2024.
The 16-year-old Lamine Yamal stepped up to score the equalizer for Spain after all hope was almost lost with Mbappe threatening the Spanish defense with his runs. Dani Olmo also made an incredible turn to shoot the ball which caused Kounde to score an own goal as Spain took the lead.
Kolo Muani had headed France in front from close range but Les Bleus were upstaged by the Barcelona teenager, who turns 17 on Saturday.
With a deft curling drive that went in off a post, Yamal beat Mike Maignan from 25 yards out with a moment to remember as he jinked to his left and then to his right, creating space with his left foot.
With their triumph, Spain became the first team to win six straight Euro matches without using penalty kicks.
When Yamal sent a precise cross into the fifth minute that Fabian Ruiz headed over from inside the six-yard box, he gave early warning of his potential and broke Pele’s record as the youngest player to appear in a major tournament semifinal.
The captain and icon of France, Kylian Mbappe, was more recognizable on the same flank with and without the ball in play.
Mbappe had taken off the mask he had been sporting since suffering a broken nose in France’s opening victory over Austria.
It had seemed that Mbappe’s mask was impeding France’s ability to play with fluidity during the tournament, but stand-in full-back Jesus Navas, 38, had a rough start.
After nine minutes, Mbappe became the first player from France to score in open play at Euro 2024 when he clipped in a cross that Kolo Muani met.
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