By In a historic moment, 16-year-old Lamine Yamal became the youngest goalscorer in the tournament’s history as Spain overcame France 2-1 in Munich on Tuesday to advance to the Euro 2024 final.
France initially took the lead when Randal Kolo Muani headed in a Kylian Mbappe cross in the ninth minute. However, Spain turned the game around with two goals in a span of four minutes against a team that had only conceded once in five previous matches in the tournament.
Yamal, who will turn 17 a day before Sunday’s final against either the Netherlands or England, equalized with a stunning strike from outside the box, curling a long-range effort into the top corner beyond the reach of Mike Maignan.
Spain secured the lead in the 25th minute when Dani Olmo expertly controlled a loose ball and fired a low shot into the net, aided by a deflection off Jules Kounde.
“I got the ball, didn’t think too much, and just shot,” Yamal said about his spectacular goal. “I’m enjoying myself and I’m proud to be in the final.”
Spain, three-time champions, became the first team to win six games in a single Euros tournament and are on the verge of securing a record-breaking fourth title.
“We are one step away from glory,” Olmo told ZDF. “This team is unbelievable. We deserve it.”
This weekend’s final in Berlin marks Spain’s first appearance in a major tournament final since their emphatic 4-0 victory over Italy in the Euro 2012 final.
Demonstrating their mastery of midfield game management, Spain controlled possession after taking the lead, effectively neutralizing France’s attempts to attack on the counter and securing the win.
“They’re a very good team, and they proved it tonight,” France coach Didier Deschamps said. “They controlled the game better than us, even though we kept pushing until the end.”
Despite reaching the finals in three of the past four major tournaments, questions will be raised about France’s inability to maximize their attacking potential.
Mbappe, playing without the mask he had worn since breaking his nose in France’s opening game against Austria, struggled to make a significant impact. His only goal in nine Euro appearances remains the penalty he scored in the 1-1 group-stage draw with Poland last month.
In response to France’s lack of open-play goals, Deschamps benched forward Antoine Griezmann in favor of Ousmane Dembele.
Yamal created the first opportunity of the match four minutes in, lofting a curling cross to an unmarked Fabian Ruiz, who headed over from close range. Four minutes later, Mbappe replicated Yamal’s cross, leading to Kolo Muani’s header that gave France the lead.
Although there were pre-match concerns about Spain veterans Jesus Navas, 38, and Nacho, 34, who replaced the suspended Dani Carvajal and Robin Le Normand, it was the younger Aymeric Laporte and Marc Cucurella who were at fault for Kolo Muani’s opener.
The early goal seemed to unsettle Spain, but Yamal’s moment of brilliance brought them back into the game. Collecting the ball well outside the box, Yamal cut inside, took a quick look at the goal, and unleashed a perfect curling strike into the top left corner, making him the youngest scorer in the competition’s history.
Spain’s momentum continued, and they took the lead four minutes later through Olmo. Olmo acrobatically collected a cleared cross, evaded a defender, and struck a shot that deflected off Kounde before finding the net.
France’s best chance to equalize came in the final minutes, but Mbappe’s shot went well over the bar with only goalkeeper Unai Simon to beat.
