Spain will compete for a record fourth European Championship after defeating France 2-1 in the semifinals on Tuesday.
France took an early lead in the match in Munich, but Spain responded with two quick goals, including a remarkable strike by 16-year-old Lamine Yamal. Yamal became the youngest player to score in Euro history with his 21st-minute goal, and Dani Olmo sealed the victory with a second goal.
Spain will face either the Netherlands or England in the final on Sunday in Berlin, marking their first appearance in the final since their 2012 victory.
“Win, win, win, and win. That was my goal, to have my birthday in Germany,” said Yamal, who turns 17 on Saturday, the day before the final.
Spain, regarded as the best team in Euro 2024, was initially stunned by France’s early goal. Jesus Navas, replacing the suspended Dani Carvajal at right-back, struggled against Kylian Mbappe. Mbappe, playing without the mask that had hindered his vision since breaking his nose in France’s opening match, set up Randal Kolo Muani for the lead and his first assist of the tournament.
Despite the setback, Yamal brought Spain back into the game with a superb left-footed strike from 30 yards out. At 16 years and 362 days, Yamal is now the youngest player to score in the Euros or the World Cup, breaking the record previously held by Pele, who was 17 when he scored in the 1958 World Cup.
Olmo extended Spain’s lead just as France was trying to recover. After a pair of delicate touches to evade Aurelien Tchouameni, Olmo’s shot was deflected into the net by Jules Kounde. UEFA credited Olmo with the goal.
Olmo, who started the tournament as a substitute, became the first Spanish player to score in three consecutive Euro matches. He scored the fourth goal in Spain’s 4-1 win over Georgia in the round of 16 and the opener in their 2-1 quarterfinal victory over Germany.
In the second half, France struggled to create chances with less possession. Theo Hernandez and Mbappe both missed late opportunities. Spain managed the game by maintaining possession and running down the clock.
“It’s a very good team, we knew that, they proved it tonight even if we were able to open the scoring,” France coach Didier Deschamps said. “They created difficulties for us as they controlled the game better than us, even if we kept going until the end.”
Deschamps may face criticism for his conservative tactics in Germany, especially after dismissing critics who found France’s play “boring.” Kolo Muani’s goal against Spain was the only one France scored from open play throughout the tournament.
