Sometimes the European Championships produce some timeless goals – the ones that are remembered, replayed and recounted for decades to come.
Marco van Basten’s diagonal volley at Euro 1988 is one example, Paul Gascoigne’s individual run and finish at Euro 1996 is another, as is Karel Poborski’s chip shot at the same tournament.
The historic goal scored by Spain’s Lamine Yamal against France in the Euro 2024 semi-final could also be added to that list.
With Spain leading 1-0, Yamal made history with a brilliant shot into the top corner from outside the penalty area.
He stunned spectators by becoming the youngest player in the tournament’s history to score a goal, aged 16 years and 362 days.
“A superstar was born,” former England striker Gary Lineker told BBC One. “It was the moment of the match and probably the moment of the tournament.”
“It’s just unbelievable,” added former England striker Alan Shearer. “We’ve been talking about him all tournament and saying how unbelievable young he is.”
“It’s outrageous to do something like that.”
“A touch of genius”
The goal, which had fans at the Allianz Arena and around the world holding their breath as it was replayed in slow motion, was all the more impressive for its timing.
This was while losing 1-0 in the semi-finals of a major tournament. It was an incredibly pressure-filled moment, but he handled it with ease.
In the build-up to the heavyweight bout, Yamal showed no signs of nervousness.
He was smiling and joking with his teammates on the pitch in the hours before kick-off and carried that confidence into his performance.
“It was a piece of genius,” Spain coach Luis de la Fuente said of Yamal’s goal.
“We all need to look after him. I want him to have that same humility, keep his feet on the ground and keep learning.”
“To be honest, he looks like a much more experienced player and it’s good to have him in our team and being Spanish.”
“We’re counting on him and hope to have many enjoyable years with him.”
Yamal wants to “win, win, win and win” after his “dream comes true”
While Yamal is currently making an impact on the international stage, he was already breaking records during his breakout season with Barcelona.
He became the youngest player to start and score for the Spanish side, as well as the youngest goalscorer in La Liga.
Yamal turns 17 on July 13, the day before Spain will play either England or the Netherlands in the Euro 2024 final.
Sharing his thoughts, the teenager said all he wants to do to celebrate his birthday is “win, win, win and win.”
Whoever Spain faces in the final will likely be advised not to give their young players any extra push, as France did.
Before the match, midfielder Adrien Rabiot said Yamal “needs to perform better than they have in previous tournaments.”
After the match, Yamal celebrated by telling the television cameras: “Speak now, speak now.”
“It was as if Yamar saw Rabiot, his eyes lit up and he said, ‘I’ll show you’,” said former England defender Rio Ferdinand.
“What a great finish for such a young kid.”
Yamal showed up to the post-match press conference at 12:15 a.m., when most of the other 16-year-olds would have been fast asleep, and was asked who his comments were directed at.
“The person I’m talking about, this person will know who this person is,” he said.
“It’s a dream come true to reach the finals with the national team.”
In front of the assembled media, Yamal exuded the same level of confidence he has on the pitch.
His focus now shifts to Sunday’s final in Berlin.
When asked who he would like to face, he replied: “I don’t really care.”
“When you reach the final you have to play your best and the matches are very close.
“We’re going to wait and play whoever it is.”
