Yamal scores historic stunner as Spain come from behind to edge France and reach final

Lamine Yamal made history as Spain booked their place in the Euro 2024 final following a 2-1 win over France in Munich on Tuesday.

Didier Deschamps’ side took the early lead when Randal Kolo Muani headed in Kylian Mbappe’s clipped cross to score France’s first goal from open play after more than nine hours of football in Germany.

In a stunning turnaround, 16-year-old Yamal became the youngest goalscorer in Euros history when he curled an emphatic effort into the top left-hand corner from 25 yards out.

Four minutes later, Dani Olmo thundered an effort towards the France goal which beat Mike Maignan and could not be stopped by Jules Kounde, who turned the ball into the net. After some controversy, Olmo was later officially awarded the goal which made him the tournament’s joint-leading goalscorer with three.

France had the best of the chances in the second half, as Theo Hernandez and Mbappe both blasted shots over the bar from inside the box.

Spain held on to reach their fifth Euros final, and will play either England or the Netherlands – who face off in the second semi-final on Wednesday – in Sunday’s final at the Olympiastadion in Berlin.

It feels like a lifetime ago since Spain were last in a European final – 12 years in fact – when they had that golden generation of Gerard Pique, Sergio Ramos, Xavi, Sergio Busquets and Iniesta.

This new era of superstar talent mixed with experienced heads has dragged the nation back to the epicentre of European football against all the odds. Lamine Yamal, Nico Williams, Pedri, Rodri, Fabien Ruiz and Dani Olmo have all played pivotal roles in Spain’s emphatic Euros campaign.

Luis de la Fuente’s side have been the far most impressive outfit in Germany this summer and have scored the most goals of any other team (13). They showed their worth when they fell behind early in the game, before showcasing unbelievable character to fire themselves in front in rapid time.

Gareth Southgate and his England side will be wary of the Spaniards should they reach the final – if they can get past the Netherlands on Wednesday.

Who else? Jude Bellingham and 17-year-old Turkish sensation Arda Guler have strong competition for the goal of the tournament after Yamal sent a sensational strike whizzing past experienced goalkeeper Maignan in the first half.

The teenager smashed the record for the youngest goalscorer in Euros history, beating Switzerland’s Johan Vonlanthen by over 18 months.

He even edged the great Pele – then 17 – on a historic night as he became the youngest player to score in either the Euros or World Cup at 16 years and 362 days.

Yamal has also become the first-ever player to create six-plus big chances at a major international tournament and has created the most chances overall with 15.

What a summer he is having.

Spain: Simon 6, Navas 6, Nacho 6, Laporte 7, Cucurella 6, Rodri 7, Ruiz 6, Yamal 9, Olmo 8, Williams 7, Morata 7

Subs: Vivian 6, Zubimendi N/A, Merino 6, Torres N/A, Oyarzabal 5

France: Maignan 6, Kounde 7, Upamecano 6, Saliba 6, Hernandez 6, Tchouameni 6, Kante 6, Rabiot 6, Dembele 6, Mbappe 6, Munai 7

Subs: Camavinga 5, Griezmann 6, Giroud 5, Barcola 6

5’ – HUGE CHANCE FOR SPAIN! Yamal cuts inside onto his left foot from the right of the box and floats in a great cross towards the back post where Ruiz is left unchallenged, but he sends his header over the bar from close range!

9’ – GOAL!!! – SPAIN 0-1 FRANCE (MUANI): It’s a rarity as France score their first goal from open play of the tournament to take the lead in the semi-final! Mbappe brings the ball into the box from the left, stops, and then clips a wonderful ball towards the back post for Muani to nod home!

20’ – MABPPE DENIED BY NACHO! Mbappe recieves the ball in acres of space on the left and drives into the box, cuts in on his favoured right foot and sends a thumping effort towards goal which is blocked by Nacho and eventually scrambled away.

21’ – GOAL!!! – SPAIN 1-1 FRANCE (YAMAL): Yamal equalises in stunning fashion! The 16-year-old picks up the ball 30 yards from goal, shifts onto his left foot and bends an outrageous effort into the top left corner. My word! It finally comes off for Yamal in Germany, who becomes the youngest player ever to score in a European Championship!

25’ – GOAL!!! – SPAIN 2-1 FRANCE (OLMO): And just like that, Spain are ahead in a stunning turnaround! Navas delivers a cross from the left which is cleared, but only as far as Olmo who is arriving in the box, brings the ball down and sends a thumping effort towards goal which Jules Kounde can only turn into his own net.

47’ – OUTSTANDING GOALKEEPING FROM MAIGNAN! The France keeper comes rushing out of his box to close down Williams a far way off his line, Williams gets there first but Maignan makes a perfectly-timed challenge to deny him!

53’ – TCHOUAMENI RISES HIGHEST! Aurelien Tchouameni leaps high in the air from a France corner and is unchallenged, but he doesn’t get a huge amount of purchase on his header as he nods straight into the arms of Unai Simon.

60’ – BIG HAND FROM SIMON – Cucurella loses possession and Dembele busts down the right flank before looking for Mbappe in the six-yard box, but Simon stops the cross with a strong left hand.

65’ – CHANCE FOR UPAMECANO! The defender gets on the end of a cross but completely fluffs his free header which goes wide.

75’ – MASSIVE CHANCE FOR FRANCE! Griezmann whips in a deep cross which Dembele keeps in play at the back post, but there is no one to meet it in the six-yard box. With the ball seemingly under control, Ruiz makes a mistake and loses possession as the ball falls to Hernandez on the edge of the box and with a clear shot at goal, blasts his effort over the bar!

86′ – MBAPPE MISSES A HUGE CHANCE! Once again Mbappe drives into the box from the left, cuts inside Vivian onto his right foot and thunders a shot over the bar!

• At 16 years old, Lamine Yamal becomes the youngest player ever to score at the European Championships.
• Spain will play in their first major tournament final (Euro/World Cup) since 2012, becoming the first team to win six matches at a single Euro edition.