After falling behind on Tuesday, Spain rallied to defeat France 2-1 and advance to the Euro 2024 final. The turnaround was sparked by 16-year-old Lamine Yamal, who scored a brilliant equalizer in the 21st minute, becoming the youngest goalscorer in the history of the Euros or World Cup. Dani Olmo then sealed the lead in the 25th minute, marking his third goal of the knockout rounds.
Spain rallied from behind to defeat France 2-1 on Tuesday, with a record-breaking goal from teenager Lamine Yamal and a Dani Olmo effort propelling them to the Euro 2024 final. The 16-year-old Yamal equalized Randal Kolo Muani’s opener with an excellent sublime shot in the 21st minute, becoming the youngest scorer in a Euro or World Cup tournament, before Olmo scored another in the 25th minute for his third goal in the knockout stage.
Spain continues its flawless run in the tournament, proving why they are the favorites with a bold offensive display that looks very different from the tiki-taka style of their previous golden era. Their next challenge will be the winner of the England-Netherlands match in the Berlin final on July 14, where Spain hopes to make history by winning their fourth European title.
France's journey ended on a whimper. Despite their pedigree as 2022 World Cup finalists, they failed to meet expectations in Germany, struggling with a lack of clinical finishing that persisted into the semifinals. An early Spanish threat saw Yamal—the youngest player to ever feature in a major tournament semifinal—cross to Fabian Ruiz, who narrowly missed the target with his header.
France found success in the 9th minute with a similar play; Kylian Mbappe, playing without his protective mask after a nose injury, delivered a cross that allowed Kolo Muani to score France's first goal from open play in this year's tournament.
Spain didn't let the setback or the absence of key players like the suspended Dani Carvajal and Robin Le Normand, or the injured Pedri, stop them. They surged back quickly, with Yamal firing a breathtaking left-footed shot from 25 yards that hit the post and went in, surpassing Pele's long-standing record as the youngest scorer in a World Cup or Euro.
The comeback was completed in the 25th minute when Olmo scored off a pass from Jules Kounde before France could recover. After the break, France tried to ramp up the pressure, creating opportunities for Theo Hernandez and Mbappe. However, having struggled to score throughout the event, Les Bleus couldn't find a way through a disciplined Spanish defense that expertly managed the game until the end.