Follow today’s live broadcast of England vs. Netherlands in the Euro 2024 semi-finals
At the Allianz Arena, the universe cracks open.
Space suddenly appeared that could not be seen by the other 21 players on the field (especially French goalkeeper Mike Maignan) or the 75,000 fans in the stands. As this happened, Pedri, sitting on the Spanish bench, moved his clasped hands from his neck to his face. He looked horrified by what he had just witnessed. Teammate Lamine Yamal, terrified by the door to a new dimension, cut in with his left foot. The gateway to the European Cup finals. Through this portal, one can get a glimpse of Yamal’s huge potential.
Pedri looks on in disbelief at Yamal’s goal (BBC)
Time ticked away as the ball flew in from outside the far post. Yamal was only 13 years old when the last European Championship was held three years ago. He and his friends watched Spain play Italy in the semifinals at the mall. Dani Olmo, the man of the match, missed a penalty in the shootout. But in Munich, Yamal showed that another reality was possible.
Olmo scored the winning goal against France. His goal was exquisite in its own right, for its deftness, elusiveness and affirmation of Spain’s technical supremacy. Olmo entered the game with the confidence of having scored in three consecutive games. But France is also in a state of utter disbelief and disorientation.
Four minutes earlier, Yamal had canceled out France’s opener. Until then, it looks like this could be Kylian Mbappe’s night. Mbappe discarded his mask like a gladiator throwing it onto the blood-stained sand on the Colosseum floor. Statement of Intent. His vision is no longer affected by the “scary” accessory he is forced to wear to protect his injured nose. Within 10 minutes, Mbappe even allowed Randal Kolo Muani, a player who had lost one-on-one in the 2022 World Cup final, to finally score, not to mention four days earlier. Another game against Portugal.
We are used to the fact that no one can reverse France in this game. Anyway, they shouldn’t do this. The only goal Maignan has conceded so far was a penalty from Yamal’s Barcelona teammate Robert Lewandowski in the 1-1 draw with Poland. Maignan saved Lewandowski’s first shot, but the referee called for a retake due to foul play. It takes something truly special to beat him. Something not of this world. “We are in a difficult moment,” Yamal admitted. “Nobody expected to concede the goal so early.”
When Fabian Ruiz’s roulette was thrown into disarray 30 yards from goal, Yamal latched on to the loose ball and took action to poke the ball past the back of France’s goal enthusiasm. “I picked up the ball, I didn’t think much about it, I tried to put it where it went and I was happy.”
Opposing him was French giraffe-like midfielder Adrien Rabiot. Clearly, Yamal feels he needs to give it his all. In big games. We know what he is made of. He kept a cool head, but dealing with a semi-final in a big tournament could be difficult. We have a responsibility to put pressure on him, but we want him to step out of his comfort zone. If you want to play in a European Cup final, you need to do more than what he has done so far.
Yamal responded on Instagram, posting a picture of hands moving pieces on a chessboard. The title is “Moving Quietly.” “Speak only when it’s time to say ‘checkmate.'” Yamal spoke with his left foot. His move came in the 21st minute. Yamal initially wrapped the ball with his left foot and then passed it to the outside of Rabiot, only to use the outside of the same shoe to push the ball inside, exposing the ball again.
Rabiot moved side to side like an arctic crab. As Yamal prepared to shoot, he extended his paw, but Rabiot failed to catch the ball. Neither did Maignan. He did everything he could to achieve his goal. The AC Milan goalkeeper’s gloved hand obscured the top corner, but it could not block the sun, the gleam of Yamal’s talent. “Habla! Habla! Yamal shouted to Rabiot. “Speak! Speak! All words from the French are cheap. Yamal’s strike, on the other hand, is priceless. “We see genius The feeling,” Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente said.
It’s common to hear people say that perfection doesn’t exist. That’s out of reach. But Yamal’s shot challenged that notion. “His shot is Gorgeous,” Didier Deschamps praised. This makes Yamal, who is only 16 years and 362 days old, the youngest scorer in the history of the European Cup. He will turn 17 on the eve of the final. He said the only gift Yamal wanted was to “win, win, win. My goal is to be able to celebrate my birthday in Germany. I’m happy to celebrate here with the team.” He went on to add: “I told Mom, if we can win the final, she won’t need to buy me any gifts. “
Yamal fell to his knees in ecstasy as he turned and sprinted towards the Spanish bench, Catalan journalists at a press conference flashing the Barcelona winger’s goal against Mallorca. A very similar goal. But this is better. for this occasion. Because this made Mbappé puff out his cheeks and show an expression of awe and helplessness. “I don’t know if it’s the best goal of the tournament,” Yamal said. “But this is the most special to me.”
Maignan was unable to stop Yamal (Javier Soriano/AFP via Getty Images)
Yamal’s presentation will be condensed into a split-second analysis. However, Rodri expanded on this. “I went to Lamin personally to congratulate him on his performance,” he said. “People will remember this game for his goals and he does things that only a select few can do. But I personally thank him for his defensive commitment. Recovery, tracking back, how he helps the full-backs . For someone of his age, that’s outstanding. I personally rate it very highly.
At the end of the game, the Spanish players huddled together and jumped up and down to celebrate advancing to the final. Yamal initially stood at a distance from them, close to the midline, like a star from a distant galaxy.
(Above: James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images)
