Yamal's 'genius' moment etches him in European Championship history
Every once in a while, a goal during a European Championship becomes ingrained in the collective memory. It lingers, replays, and is discussed for decades. From Marco van Basten's angled volley at Euro 1988 to Paul Gascoigne's brilliance at Euro 1996, certain goals leave a lasting impact. Lamine Yamal's historic goal for Spain against France in the Euro 2024 semi-finals can proudly be added to this esteemed list, SSP reported.
Trailing 1-0, Yamal unleashed a stunning curled strike from outside the box, perfectly nestling into the top corner. The goal not only changed the course of the match but also etched Yamal's name in the history books. At the young age of 16 years and 362 days, he became the youngest scorer in the tournament's history, leaving spectators in awe.
Former England striker Gary Lineker couldn't contain his excitement, exclaiming on BBC One, "A superstar is born. It was the moment of the match, possibly the moment of the tournament." Similarly, former England striker Alan Shearer added, "Just incredible. We've been talking about him all tournament, highlighting how young he is. What he achieved is simply outrageous."
The goal delivered by Yamal left fans inside the Allianz Arena and around the world captivated, as replays in slow motion showcased his touch of genius. What made it even more impressive was the high-pressure situation and the match's significance as a semi-final. Yet, despite the stakes, Yamal displayed his composure effortlessly.
In the lead-up to the crucial fixture, Yamal exhibited no signs of nerves. He embraced the moment, engaging in smiles and jokes with his teammates on the pitch. This confidence flowed into his exceptional performance when it mattered most.
Spain coach Luis de la Fuente aptly described Yamal's goal as a "touch of genius." He emphasized the importance of providing guidance to the young talent and ensuring he continues to work with humility, keeping his feet on the ground while constantly learning. De la Fuente expressed joy in having Yamal as part of the Spanish team, envisioning many more memorable moments to come.
Before capturing hearts on the international stage, Yamal had already left an indelible mark in his breakthrough season at Barcelona. He rewrote club records by becoming their youngest starter, goalscorer, and the youngest scorer in La Liga.
As his 17th birthday approaches on the 13th of July, only one day before the Euro 2024 final, Yamal is solely focused on celebrating through victories. When asked about his birthday celebration plans, the ambitious teenager simply exclaimed, "Win, win, win, and win."
Whoever Spain faces in the final, they should be cautious not to fuel Yamal's motivation as France unknowingly did. Before the game, midfielder Adrien Rabiot mentioned Yamal needing to show more than he had thus far in the tournament. However, Yamal swiftly took that as a challenge, answering with a superb finish on the field.
Former England defender Rio Ferdinand astutely observed, "It's almost like Yamal saw Rabiot, his eyes lit up, and he said, 'I'm going to show you.' A wonderful finish from such a young kid."
Addressing the media during a post-match conference at 12:15 am, a time when most 16-year-olds would be fast asleep, Yamal confidently faced the questions. When asked about the recipient of his post-match comments, he cryptically stated, "The person I'm talking about will know who they are. It's a dream come true to reach the final with the national team."
Yamal displayed the same level of poise off the pitch as he did on it, now redirecting his focus to the upcoming final in Berlin. Unperturbed by the potential finalist, he remarked, "I don't mind. When you reach the final, you have to play against the best, and these games are always evenly matched. We will wait and face whoever it is."
