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Semi-final reaction: Sensational Yamal fires Spain into final
Semi-final reaction: Sensational Yamal fires Spain into final

Semi-final reaction: Sensational Yamal fires Spain into final

Spain are 4-7 to win Euro 2024 after beating France 2-1 in a pulsating semi-final in Munich on Tuesday night.

 

La Roja progressed to the final in a game that will be remembered for a stunning goal from 16-year-old Spain winger Lamine Yamal.

 

The match had not started well for Luis de la Fuente's side, however. 

 

Missing suspended defenders Dani Carvajal and Robin Le Normand, they fell behind in the ninth minute when Kylian Mbappe's cross from the left was headed in by France striker Randal Kolo Muani.

 

An early yellow card for veteran Jesus Navas, deputising for Carvajal at right-back, increased the pressure on Spain but two moments of individual brilliance turned the game around.

 

Yamal, who had contributed three assists in Spain's first five matches, became the youngest player to score at a European Championship or World Cup finals, curling a superb left-footed strike from outside the penalty area past France goalkeeper Mike Maignan.

 

The Barcelona ace, who turns 17 on Saturday – the day before the Euro 2024 final – equalised in the 21st minute and Spain went 2-1 up just four minutes later.

 

Dani Olmo skilfully worked his way into a shooting position inside the box and his strike was helped into the net by France's Jules Kounde.

 

Kolo Muani's opener had been the first goal scored by a French player in open play at the tournament.

 

Didier Deschamps' men mustered only three goals – an Mbappe penalty and two opposition own goals – in their first five matches but conceded only a retaken spot-kick in the group game against Poland.

 

The frenetic opening 25 minutes against Spain was a shock to the system for Les Bleus but they kept themselves in the contest and created some good chances in the second half.

 

Spain's pacy passing game lost some of its zip after the break on a warm night in Munich and France left-back Theo Hernandez blazed a shot over the bar.

 

Paris St-Germain youngster Bradley Barcola was France's most impactful substitute and he fed Mbappe in a dangerous position in the final ten minutes.

 

The French captain cut inside menacingly but couldn't keep his shot down as France's wayward finishing condemned them to a semi-final exit.

 

Spain had been twice the price of Les Bleus in the ante-post betting but they were trophy favourites going into the semi-finals and produced another hugely impressive display.

 

They have won all six of their matches, scoring 13 goals, and Olmo has hit the front in the Golden Boot race, contributing three goals and two assists.

 

Spain captain Alvaro Morata will be assessed after hurting his knee in a collision with a security guard during the post-match celebrations. 

 

However, even that bizarre incident could not spoil a special night for La Roja and their teenage star Yamal.