MUNICH.- Spain advanced to the final of the European Championship after defeating 2-1 on Tuesday Francein a match in which Lamine Yamal became the youngest scorer in history in a major tournament.
France took an early lead when Randal Kolo Muani headed in a cross from Kylian Mbappe, who played without a face mask. But La Roja responded with a moment of brilliance from 16-year-old Yamal in the 21st minute.
Dani Olmo scored the winning goal four minutes later.
“We were in a tough stretch, after we didn’t expect to concede a goal so early. I just took the ball and wanted to put it right there. I’m very happy,” Yamal said. “I don’t try to think about it too much, just enjoy and help the team. If it goes well, I’m happy for the goal and the win.”
Spain, seeking a fourth European Championship title, will play either the Netherlands or England in the final on Sunday in Berlin.
The Dutch and English meet in Dortmund on Wednesday.
“We knew they were a great team and they showed that tonight,” said France coach Didier Deschamps. “Even though we were fortunate to open the scoring, Spain made things difficult for us. They were superior in terms of control and technique. The team that left the best impression was Spain, so they deserved to win tonight.”
Mbappé surprised by entering the field without the mask he had worn since suffering a broken nose in France’s first match in the group stage of this Euro.
The star had complained that the mask was getting in the way. Getting rid of it seemed to have an immediate effect, as Mbappé generated the opening goal of the match in the ninth minute with a cross to the far post.
Kolo Muani headed the ball home.
End of a drought:
It was the first goal scored by France at Euro 2024 that did not come from a penalty or an own goal. Fortunately for Les Bleus, their defence had been exceptional, conceding just one goal, with a penalty taken twice by Poland’s Robert Lewandowski in the group stage.
But there was no stopping Yamal’s tremendous equaliser in the 21st minute, becoming the youngest player to score in a Euro or World Cup.
Yamal curled a shot from about 25 yards out to beat Mike Maignan. The ball hit the left post and went in.
Spain turned the game around four minutes later when Olmo’s shot, which was destined for goal, was deflected into his own net by French defender Jules Koundé. UEFA had originally ruled it an own goal, but later awarded it to Olmo.
Source: AP