Bucking the trend, France scored a ninth-minute goal off Randal Kolo Muani and put Spain behind in the headline UEFA Euro semi-final. Twelve minutes later, the 16-year-old Lamine Yamal shot himself into the galaxy of greats. The teenager pulled off an impressive body feint to catch ace French defenders off guard and then launched a screamer to the top corner of the French goal. Courtesy of this high-octane strike, four days before his 17th birthday, the Barcelona prodigy became the UEFA Euro’s youngest goalscorer, surpassing Switzerland’s Johan Vonlathen.

Besides, Yamal also became Spain’s youngest goalscorer in a major tournament, surpassing fellow Barcelona teammate Gavi, who previously held his record after scoring in the 2022 World Cup.

Top 10 youngest Euro goalscorers, as Lamine Yamal aces past big names

Scoring in his first ever Euro at 16 years, 362 days, Lamine Yamal is way ahead of other youngest European goalscorers. Switzerland’s Johan Vonlathen, who previously held the record of being the Euro’s youngest scorer, claimed the feat when he was 18 years, 141 days old. Next up we have England and Manchester United legend, Wayne Rooney, who made it to the leaderboard with a strike when he was 18 years, 237 days. The next seven stars in the list of youngest Euro scorers are as follows.

. Renato Sanches – 18 years 317 days
. Dragan Stojković – 19 days 108 days
. Arda Güler – 19 years 114 days
. Cristiano Ronaldo – 19 years 128 days
. Ferenc Bene – 19 years 183 days
. Cristian Chivu – 19 years 238 days
. Patrick Kluivert – 19 years 353 days

Now, if you think Lamine Yamal just eclipsed icons such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Rooney to set a Euro record, you’re wrong. The Barcelona forward has even aced past the legendary Pele to be the youngest goalscorer in a major football tournament. Let’s see which players top the list of the youngest goal-scorers from the UEFA Euro and the FIFA World Cup, combined.

Yamal breaks another Pele record with his goal against France

Featured in Spain’s semi-final squad against France, Lamine Yamal had already beaten Pele to become the youngest player to appear in a semi-final of a major tournament.(UEFA Euro, FIFA WC, Copa America). Having scored for Brazil when he was 17 years, and 244 days old in the 1958 World Cup, Pele held the record for the youngest scorer at a major tournament. Yamal’s out-of-the-box screamer made sure that the Brazilian legend’s record is history.

Behind Yamal and Pele, we have Mexico’s Manuel Rosas(18 years, 93 days old) in the leaderboard of the Euro and the World Cup’s combined youngest scorers. Yamal’s teammate Gavi is the next on this leaderboard, thanks to the strike he scored against Costa Rica in the 2022 World Cup when he was 18 years and 110 days old.

Lamine Yamal has proven himself to be Spain’s attacking pivot in the ongoing UEFA Euros. Before opening his scorecard today, the Barcelona prodigy bagged three vital assists in five previous appearances. From the looks of it, more records and accolades are waiting for the youngster.