16-year-old Lamine Yamal and Leipzig's Dani Olmo lead Spain into the European Championship final. In Munich, the Iberians beat France 2:1 after falling behind early on.
It wasn't the feeling out that everyone expected between the offensively strong Spaniards and the defensive powerhouse France. Instead, an open game developed right from the start, in which both teams sought their salvation on the offensive. Spain showed an impressive reaction and turned around an early deficit within four minutes.
Yamal and Olmo counter the French lead
First, Lamine Yamal scored a magnificent equalizer in the 21st minute with a shot from more than 20 metres out. At the age of 16 years and 362 days, the FC Barcelona winger became the youngest goalscorer at a European Championship final. He replaced Switzerland's Johan Vonlanthen, who scored the only Swiss goal at the 2004 European Championship in Portugal in a 3-1 defeat against France - at the age of 18 years and 141 days. In the end, it was the outstanding Dani Olmo who made it 2-1 with a solo effort. The Leipzig midfielder fooled Aurélien Tchouaméni and finished from close range. Jules Koundé at the second post was unable to prevent the strike.
France had already taken the lead in the 9th minute through Randal Kolo Muani. The Parisian, who replaced the out-of-form Antoine Griezmann in the starting eleven, sneaked in behind Aymeric Laporte and headed home a cross from Kylian Mbappé. The French superstar appeared without a face mask for the first time since breaking his nose and showed great vision in this scene.
The French showed a clear improvement on their previous appearances at this final tournament. After an even first half, Didier Deschamps' team had a clear advantage in chances in the second half, but were unable to equalize despite a handful of good opportunities. The best chances in the final quarter of an hour were missed by Theo Hernandez and Mbappé, who shot over the goal from promising positions.
Spain's chance to set a new record
The defeat was a rarity for France. The last time the Equipe tricolore lost a knockout match after 90 minutes was at the 2014 World Cup, when Germany won 1-0 in the quarter-finals - and went on to secure the title.
With their sixth win in their sixth European Championship match, the Spaniards continued their flawless tournament record and cemented their status as top favorites. Not only did they stroll through the tough group with World Cup bronze medallists Croatia and reigning European champions Italy, but they also eliminated one of the most frequently named favorites, hosts Germany, in the quarter-finals. Now coach Luis de la Fuente's team passed the next endurance test and showed that they can also break down a compact defense.
The Spaniards are in their fifth European Championship final. They have won the title three times so far (1964, 2008, 2012). Their only defeat in the final came in 1984 - against the then hosts France. With a victory on Sunday in Berlin, Spain would put Germany at a distance and become the sole record European champions. A good omen for the Iberians: on the way to their last title to date, they eliminated France in the quarter-finals.
Luis de la Fuente could continue his impressive run with a win on Sunday. He became European champion with Spain's U19s in 2015 and with the U21 team in 2019.
The final opponent will be determined on Wednesday in Dortmund between England and the Netherlands.
Spain - France 2:1 (2:1)
Munich. - 66,000 spectators. - Referee Vincic (SLO). - Goals: 9. Kolo Muani (Mbappé) 0:1. 21. Yamal 1:1. 25. Olmo 2:1.
Spain: Simon; Navas (58. Vivian), Nacho, Laporte, Cucurella; Rodri, Ruiz; Yamal (94. Torres), Olmo (76. Merino), Williams (94. Zubimendi); Morata (76. Oyarzabal).
France: Maignan; Koundé, Upamecano, Saliba, Hernandez; Kanté (62. Griezmann), Tchouaméni, Rabiot (62. Camavinga); Dembélé (79. Giroud), Kolo Muani (62. Barcola), Mbappé.
Comments: Spain without Carvajal, Le Normand (both suspended) and Pedri (injured). France complete. Cautions: 14 for Navas, 60 for Tchouaméni, 89 for Camavinga, 91 for Yamal.
