Lamine Yamal’s record-breaking night

Spain is surely the most impressive nation since the start of the Euro. Far from being considered a favorite at the start of the continental competition, La Roja is in the process of silencing all its detractors. Relying on a flamboyant and attacking game, the Iberian selection won its four matches in the tournament. Impressive in the group stage, Luis de la Fuente’s gang continued this Sunday in the round of 16 with a major performance against Georgia. Slightly manhandled in the first period, the Spaniards quickly recovered and asphyxiated a surprising Georgia.

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But while all the Spanish players shone through a brilliant collective score, Lamine Yamal once again stood out. A real danger for any defense of the tournament, the jewel of FC Barcelona produced an XXL performance. Put in difficulty by the two-handed holds of the Georgian defense in the first period, the 16-year-old winger grew in temperature throughout the match and was the author of an absolutely disconcerting second period. In all the good moves, he gave his opponents no respite and was one of the great architects of the defensive implosion of the Crusaders in this match. An evening of all records for this impatient talent.

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Lamine Yamal above Cristiano Ronaldo and Zinedine Zidane

Author of a caviar for Fabian Ruiz’s goal, the prodigy was not lucky in front of goal. Taking his chances on several occasions, the number 19 of the Roja used bad luck and sometimes lacked precision to contribute his stone to the building. But there you go, the essential was elsewhere this Sunday evening and this already remarkable performance allowed him to enter history in several ways. Only 16 years and 354 days old, the Spanish winger was the youngest player to participate in a knockout phase match in Euro. Author of an assist, he also became the first to be decisive so early at this stage of the competition. A precocious player who even allows himself the luxury of dislodging several legends. Author of seven shots and five goal chances created, Yamal thus dislodged Zinedine Zidane who had accumulated 6 shots and 6 chances in 2004 against England.

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Speaking of 2004, the Spanish phenomenon also joined Cristiano Ronaldo by becoming the second player, after the Portuguese, to compile two assists in a Euro at an age under 20. Do you want more ? Only one player completed more than 10 dribbles and created more than 10 chances during EURO 2024. You already know the answer and it is proof that Lamine Yamal is not just an ultra-precocious crack: he is also one of the very best players of this Euro. A humble crack who is even already focused on Spain’s quarter-final against the host country, Germany: “I’m happy to have progressed to the quarter-finals and thinking about the next match. The match was complicated with the goal, because they went back. We knew we had to equalize before the break. From there it gets easier. Germany represents a very difficult opponent.» The Mannschaft is warned: Lamine Yamal does not have time.