It seemed fitting that in a season where Lamine Yamal has been setting new records for precociousness almost by the week that he would leave an indelible mark on Euro 2024.
Already the youngest player since Pele in 1958 to appear in the semi-final of a major men's tournament, Yamal further etched his name in history with a goal so sublime in its execution that it topped all other accomplishments in a fledgling but so far meteoric career.
Yamal's benchmarks even before he turns 17 would be enough to define many a career. Already the youngest Barcelona debutant since the 1940s, at 15; the club’s youngest ever goalscorer, at 16 and two months; Spain's youngest goalscorer, age 16 years and 57 days. He became the youngest to appear at a Euros earlier in the tournament, against Croatia, and his goal in Spain's 2-1 semi-final win over France makes him the youngest scorer in tournament history, age 16 years and 361 days.
The feint to steal half a yard on Adrien Rabiot before uncorking a left-foot shot past Mike Maignan in the French goal was "genius", as described by Spain manager Luis de la Fuente. It was reminiscent of a goal Yamal scored against the same opponent at the same stage of the Under-17 European Championship in 2023.
Yamal's goal was the exclamation mark on a first half where he really came of age. There are few finer sights in football than a shot, hit from range, with just enough elevation to beat the despairing dive of a goalkeeper and just the right accuracy to cannon in off the post. Yamal's effort was hit with all the nonchalance of a teenager asked to tidy up his bedroom.
To focus only on his goal would do him a huge disservice. Yamal's weight and accuracy of passing was right out of the Xavi and Iniesta playbook, his spatial awareness to move in from the right flank had an indirect hand in Spain's second goal and his willingness to show for the ball even after a crunching Theo Hernandez tackle shows he has mettle as well as majesty.
His involvement in Dani Olmo's goal four minutes after his own highlights all three. Yamal's contribution to Spain's winner was less tangible than his own strike but still telling. By moving to a more central position to join in the build up, Jesus Navas was encouraged to push up into the space vacated by Yamal on the right. Navas' cross caused confusion in the French ranks, allowing Olmo to conjure up his own magical moment with what proved the winning goal.
If Yamal's appearances at these Euros so far had merely teased at what was to come, then Wednesday's performance in Munich shattered any illusions that the Spanish wunderkind is destined for anything other than greatness.
"He's a player we have to take care of – I have to give him the advice to keep working with the same humility and keep his feet on the floor," said De la Fuente.
"He would keep growing but this maturity and attitude at such a young age is like that of a more experienced player.
"We are lucky he is Spanish and we can enjoy him for many more years."
Spain v France ratings
-
SPAIN RATINGS: In what was an exceptional game, he continued as a winner for side who’ve tasted victory in every match in the tournament. AP -
Poor positioning and not close enough to Mbappe for France’s opener. Booked. Settled down and improved, but the 38-year-old came off injured just before the hour. AFP -
Excellent performance by the Frenchman of Basque descent who chose to play for Spain. Battered and bruised by the end, but stood firm. AP -
Drove into midfield and created spaces in a team with peerless movement. Moves the ball so quickly, like his team. EPA -
Booed by the many Germans in crowd aggrieved that their side didn’t get a penalty in quarter-finals. Floored by Camavinga in 88th minute, yet he was superb again and integral to team. AFP -
Controlled the midfield throughout, like he has done the entire tournament. A serial winner in a winning team. AFP -
Calm with the ball, a threat going forward. Worked well with Rodri once again and another who has been superb in Germany. AFP -
Wonderkid scored a wonder goal to equalise. The boy was far more than the goal as he set others up. Went for goal again after 80 minutes but fired over. Always makes the right pass. Looks established for the Spain already. AF -
Quality touches to put Spain ahead. Movement, graft and skill. Three goals and two assists in the tournament so far putting him on target for the Golden Boot. AP -
A danger coming in from left – and Spain’s pace on wings makes them fly. Nutmegged Kounde after an hour although French defender was able to win ball back. Enjoyed a tournament to remember. AP -
The captain who rightly feels under-appreciated stretched the French in defence but also defended well himself. Seemed to pick up an injury after an official collided with him after the game. AP -
SUBS: (On for Navas 57’) Not really a right-back, but then nor is player he replaced. Both covered the suspended Carvajal. Reuters -
(On for Olmo 76’) AP -
(On for Morata 76’) AFP -
(On for Yamal 90+4’) AP -
(On for Williams 90+4’) AP -
FRANCE RATINGS: Beaten by fabulous curling Yamal strike and then no chance with Olmo’s deflected second, which were Spain’s only efforts on target. AFP -
Thought he had scored own-goal when deflected Olmo’s low strike into net but was eventually awarded to Spaniard. Pretty much snuffed out threat of the dangerous Williams. EPA -
Defence that had conceded once in five games leaked twice in four first-half minutes. Made mess of headed chance at other end of pitch just after hour mark. AFP -
Usual reliable presence and another fine game at heart of what has been solid France defence in Germany. Helped mark Morata out of game and Arsenal centre-half has enjoyed fine tournament. EPA -
Tough task facing fearless Yamal and trying to stop winger cutting inside from right is easier said than done. Big chance to score with 15 minutes left but shot way over bar with weaker right foot. Getty Images -
Two of tournament’s best midfielder’s in Kante and Rodri went head-to-head in Munich. Was usual industrious self but sacrificed in second half as Deschamps threw dice and brought on attackers. Getty Images -
Left for dead by ludicrous, deft Olmo touches ahead of Spain’s second goal. Headed corner straight down and into Simon’s hands just after break. Booked for lunge on Morata. Getty Images -
Pre-game comments about Yamal needing to ‘do more’ looked foolish when teenager ghosted past him before curling home stunning goal. Struggled in midfield and no shock when hooked. PA -
Started ahead of Griezmann and was involved in build-up to early French goal but France would have hoped for more impact from PSG attacker whose final ball was lacking. AFP -
Headed side into lead with France’s first goal from open play this tournament that came minutes after having his face shoved into turf by Nacho. Didn't offer much threat bar the goal. AFP -
Finally able to ditch protective mask but finishes Euro 2024 with just one goal. Clipped perfect ball to back post for Kolo Muani to open scoring. Shot straight at keeper from tight angle in 55th minute and skied effort over bar late on. AFP -
SUBS: (On for Kante 62’) Atletico Madrid attacker has had frustrating tournament and couldn’t help team find equalising goal here. AP -
(On for Rabiot 62’) Booked for poor late challenge on Cucurella with a couple of minutes to go and game running away from France. AFP -
(On for Kolo Muani 62’) A threat after coming on and produced some surging runs down left flank. EPA -
(On for Dembele 79’) AFP
De la Fuente handed Yamal his Spain debut, against Georgia last year, largely because Morocco, with whom Yamal was also eligible to represent through his father, had sounded out the prodigy about choosing the Atlas Lions over Spain. Yamal, who was born and raised on Catalonia’s Maresme coast, also had a third option, Equatorial Guinea, the country of his mother's birth, but De la Fuente's foresight had its own hint of genius, and he is sure to hand Yamal many more Spain caps – 13 and counting – over the coming years.
With Kylian Mbappe, whose mother is of Algerian descent, and Ousmane Dembele, the son of a Mauritanian-Senegalese parent, now out of the Euros, it leaves Yamal as the sole player of Arab origin in the tournament.
Yamal will turn 17 on Saturday, a day before the final where Spain meet either Netherlands or England, who face off in Wednesday's second semi-final.
"We've been talking about Lamine but I have 26 great players," continued De la Fuente.
"I know [Olmo] very well and the potential he has ... I am grateful to him too."
Striker and captain Alvaro Morata was involved in an unfortunate incident after the game during celebrations, when a stadium worker appeared to crash into him.
"He had a blow that hurt him, but it seems like it will be nothing," said De la Fuente, who also defended Morata against criticism in Spain from recent days.
"On and off the pitch, there's not many like that, giving us what we need, sacrificing himself, and then in the dressing room, is where he really shows the greatness he has, an exceptional human.
"He needs to be remembered as one of the Spanish football greats."
While De la Fuente is keen to highlight the collective, it seems inevitable others will focus on the individual, with Lamine Yamal, the Barcelona boy who only just recently passed his high-school exams, one game way from football immortality.
