In a thrilling semi-final match at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Spain defeated France 2-1 to secure their place in the Euro 2024 final. The game was marked by a historic moment when Lamine Yamal, at just 16 years and 362 days old, became the youngest goal scorer in the tournament's history. France initially took the lead with a goal from Randal Kolo Muani, but Spain quickly responded with goals from Yamal and Dani Olmo.
Spain was trailing 1-0 when Yamal curled a stunning strike from outside the box into the top corner, leaving fans and pundits in awe. This goal has been compared to some of the most iconic goals in European Championship history, such as Marco van Basten's volley at Euro 1988 and Paul Gascoigne's run and finish at Euro 1996. Gary Lineker described it as “the moment of the match, possibly the moment of the tournament,” while Alan Shearer called it “just incredible” given Yamal's young age.
The goal left fans inside Allianz Arena and worldwide in awe. Spain's boss Luis de la Fuente praised Yamal’s performance, urging him to maintain humility and keep learning. The young star has already made a significant impact at Barcelona, becoming their youngest starter and goal scorer, as well as La Liga's youngest scorer.
Spain's victory over France means they will face either England or Netherlands in the final on July 14th, just one day after Yamal turns 17. The Spanish team has shown remarkable resilience and skill throughout the tournament, and their current form suggests they are strong contenders for the title.
Following France's elimination, Kylian Mbappé admitted that his Euro 2024 campaign was a failure. Despite setting up Kolo Muani for an early lead, Mbappé struggled to make a significant impact in the tournament, ending with just one goal in five appearances. He plans to take a holiday for rest and aims to come back stronger.
Mbappé's performance was hampered by a broken nose sustained in France's opening game against Austria. He missed the match against the Netherlands and returned wearing a mask against Poland, Belgium, and Portugal, but ditched it against Spain due to discomfort. France's coach Didier Deschamps explained that the mask restricted Mbappé’s vision and was inconvenient, contributing to France's offensive struggles.
France had issues with scoring from open play throughout Euro 2024, relying on own goals and penalties before the match against Spain. Kolo Muani’s goal against Spain was the first from open play by a French player in the tournament. Deschamps took responsibility for the team's performance, acknowledging Spain's quality opposition.
Olivier Giroud indicated his intent to retire from international football post-Euros. He came on as a substitute in the final minutes against Spain without adding to his tally of goals. Deschamps praised Giroud’s longevity, seriousness, and professionalism despite less playing time this Euros compared to initial discussions.
Spain will face either England or Netherlands in the final on Sunday in Berlin. The current Spanish team plays differently compared to their golden generation (2008-2012), focusing on getting players forward and breaking into the box. This new approach has proven effective, as they became the first team to win six matches at a single Euros tournament.
Yamal has already made a significant impact in the tournament with four assists in five matches. He created the first chance of the match within four minutes and scored a crucial goal from 25 yards out. His performance was pivotal as he became the first player to score against France from open play during this tournament. Yamal expressed his happiness about reaching the final and emphasized his desire to win it.
Despite starting only one match prior to the semi-final, Olmo emerged as a key player for Spain. He replaced Pedri, who was injured by Germany’s Toni Kroos, and turned the match around by scoring and assisting goals. Olmo praised his team's effort and expressed confidence ahead of the final.
Deschamps admitted that Spain was superior in control and technique, deserving their victory. The loss marked France's first semi-final exit at a major tournament since Euro '96. Despite opening the scoring, France struggled to maintain attacking momentum after their initial goal. Antoine Griezmann and Mbappé acknowledged Spain's superiority and defensive solidity post-match.
A petition has gone viral calling for a replay of the Euro 2024 quarter-final match between Germany and Spain. The petition, which has nearly half a million signatures, was launched by German supporters due to a controversial decision. They believed Germany should have been awarded a penalty during extra time when Jamal Musiala's shot hit Marc Cucurella's hand. Referee Anthony Taylor did not award the penalty, supported by Video Assistant Referee Stuart Attwell. UEFA’s head of referees, Roberto Rosetti, explained that Taylor made the correct decision based on pre-tournament guidance.
Julian Nagelsmann expressed confusion over why the incident was not evaluated further despite many replays. Despite Nagelsmann acknowledging the rule was followed, almost 350,000 fans signed the petition within two days. German fans overlooked Toni Kroos staying on the pitch despite several rough challenges.
Spain will face France in the semi-finals on Tuesday, while England will play against the Netherlands on Wednesday. The final match will be held on Sunday in Berlin, where Spain will aim to continue their impressive run and secure the Euro 2024 title.
As Euro 2024 reaches its thrilling climax, Spain's young star Lamine Yamal has captured the world's attention with his historic goal and outstanding performance. With Spain set to face either England or Netherlands in the final, fans eagerly await what promises to be an exciting conclusion to the tournament. France, on the other hand, will reflect on their missed opportunities and look to rebuild for future competitions.
BET247
Bet365 Review ⊕ Min Deposit: £5 ⊕ Expiry: 30 days ⊕ Min Odds: 1/5 (1.20)
TOP30
William Hill Review » ⊕ Min £10/€10/$10 stake ⊕ Expiry: 30 days ⊕ Min Odds: 1.5
NEW BONUS
GG Poker Review » ⊕ Min Deposit: £10 ⊕ Limited period ⊕ $1 for ever $ in Rake
All contents are ©
Bet365 Bonus Code, Sports, Casino and Poker Sign up offers and News
18+ Worried about your gambling?
Gamcare - When the fun stops – STOP!
