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via Reuters
Soccer Football – Euro 2024 – Quarter Final – Spain v Germany – Stuttgart Arena, Stuttgart, Germany – July 5, 2024 Spain’s Lamine Yamal celebrates after Dani Olmo scores their first goal REUTERS/Leonhard Simon
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via Reuters
Soccer Football – Euro 2024 – Quarter Final – Spain v Germany – Stuttgart Arena, Stuttgart, Germany – July 5, 2024 Spain’s Lamine Yamal celebrates after Dani Olmo scores their first goal REUTERS/Leonhard Simon
Lamine Yamal just became the youngest goal scorer in Euro’s history! If you need any proof that Lamine Yamal is the next big thing, you just need to watch his performance during the ongoing Euro 2024.
During the semi-final clash against France, Spain was trailing 1-0 following the first few minutes of the contest, with Randal Kolo Muani scoring the opening goal for Les Blues. Well, Yamal had different plans as the teenager scored a stunner in the 21st minute to level things up. Yamal had cut right outside the box before he faked past Adrien Rabiot to smash the ball into the back of the net. The goal was so special that it left even France’s Kylian Mbappe in awe.
With this goal, Yamal became the youngest goal scorer at the age of 16 years and 362 days. The soccer player will turn 17 on July 13. But who held this record before him? It was Switzerland’s Johan Vonlathen, who in 2004, scored a goal against France. He was just 18 years and 141 days old.
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So what did the young player have to say about his new achievement? In the press conference, Lamine Yamal said, “Well, it’s a pride. It’s a dream. After all, every kid dreams to score a goal like this- with his national team in such an important moment. It’s a dream that I am living. I am very happy.”
What’s your reaction?
Did Kylian Mbappe's untelevised reaction to Lamine Yamal's goal leave you speechless? React!
Reactions
But things don’t stop here. He also became the youngest player to score a goal in the Euros or the FIFA World Cup. Before him, Pele had achieved this with his first goal for Brazil in the World Cup at 17 years and 239 days old.
Youngest players to score in EURO + World Cup:
– Lamine Yamal- 16 years and 362 days
– Pele- 17 years and 239 days
– Manuel Rosas- 18 years and 93 days
– Gavi- 18 years and 110 days
Yamal has clearly impressed fans. But let us not forget Mbappe’s reaction. The French skipper was left stunned by Yamal’s goal and made a face that clearly spelled, “Okay, that was something!” X users had a lot to say about his reaction.
What’s your perspective on:
Did Mbappe's reaction to Yamal's goal show a passing of the torch in European soccer?
Have an interesting take?
Did Lamine Yamal’s goal scare Kylian Mbappe? Fans think so!
Many fans didn’t waste time to connect this to Kylian Mbappe’s move to Real Madrid. “He knows that he won’t be having it easy at Madrid,” wrote one fan. Well, only Mbappe can confirm or deny this.
He knows this era is here to stay
— Shanzay Rajpoot (@S_RAJ5) July 9, 2024
As impressive as Yamal’s goal was, let us take a look at the top five youngest goal scores in the European Championships:
- Lamine Yamal (Spain vs France- 2024): 16 years, 362 days
- Johan Vonlanthen (Switzerland vs France- 2004): 18 years, 141 days old.
- Wayne Rooney (England vs Switzerland- 2004): 18 years, 237 days old.
- Renato Sanches (Portugal vs Poland- 2016): 18 years 317 days old.
- Dragan Stojkovic (Yugoslavia vs France- 1984): 19 days, 108 days old.
Even Cristiano Ronaldo is counted amongst the youngest goal scorers. In 2004, when he was just 19 years, and 128 days old, he scored against Greece.
Yamal’s 25-yard dipper impressed coach De La Fuente too. “We saw a touch of genius from a footballer who we all need to take care of. I would like him to work with the same humility, keep his feet on the ground, keep that same maturity that he shows on the pitch. Fundamentally I celebrate that he’s on our team, he’s Spanish, and we hope we can enjoy him for years to come,” he shared.
Lamine Yamal is the player Mbappe thinks he is 🔥🔥🔥
— Balatic (PO=Comp+Integrity+Equity) (@Balatic) July 9, 2024
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Many fans drew parallels between Mbappe and Yamal. Over the years, there have been a lot of questions about Kylian Mbappe’s quality. Fans felt playing in Ligue 1 wasn’t an actual test for a player and La Liga could be a big challenge for the player while also serving as an opportunity to shut his critics down.
On the same note, an X user commented, “He was able to gimmick his way through Neymar but people are realizing the fraud he is and he won’t gimmick his way through Lamine.”
Even Yamal’s teammate, Ferran Torres, stated in disbelief, “What Lamine does should be illegal.” There has been a lot of hype over Lamine Yamal’s rise, with many considering him Lionel Messi‘s successor at Barcelona. This could be a tough ask for the teenager as he only establishing himself as one of the top prospects. Comparing him to someone like Messi could just add unrequired pressure on his shoulders, right?
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But fans were excited and hence one mentioned, “They said that Lamine Yamal can’t score in Euro, but his first goal is a banga.. 🔥🔥🔥🔥Messi’s successor is coming up.”
What are your thoughts on Lamine Yamal’s performance during the Euros? Sound off in the comments below.
Debate
Did Mbappe's reaction to Yamal's goal show a passing of the torch in European soccer?