July 10 – French coach Didier Deschamps acknowledged Spain were “superior” as Les Blues suffered Euro 2024 elimination following their 2-1 semi-final defeat in Munich.
France opened the scoring after just eight minutes through Randal Kolo Muani’s header, their first goal from open play in the tournament with their 87th shot.
Lamine Yamal levelled with a long-range stunner, becoming the youngest scorer in major tournament history at the age of just 16 years and 362 days.
Dani Olmo seized on the momentum swing four minutes later to put his side ahead and the Spanish held on, the first time France have been eliminated at the semi-final stage of a major tournament since Euro 1996.
“Spain proved tonight that they are a very good team,” Deschamps said. “We were lucky enough to open the scoring, but they caused us difficulties because they were superior in their control. Tonight, they showed all their qualities.
“We were a little slow, perhaps a little less fresh. We didn’t move [the ball] forward often enough and were slow in our passing.”
France, in truth, had failed to live up to their tag as pre-tournament favourites, alongside England – who meet the Netherlands tonight for a place in the final.
Yamal also became the youngest ever player to feature in a semi-final at a major tournament, surpassing Pele who was 17 at the 1958 World Cup against France.
Unsurprisingly, the Barcelona winger was named as UEFA’s Player of the Match
“I am extremely happy to share this moment with the team, I am savouring the victory,” said Yamal who turns 17 on Saturday, the day before the final in Berlin.
Asked what he would like for his birthday, Yamal whose goal will be remembered and replayed for years to come, responded: “To win, win, win. It will be a joy to celebrate my birthday in Germany with the team.”
Meanwhile Deschamps refused to point the finger at Kylian Mbappe and the rest of his underperforming team who haven’t won the…
Source link : https://www.insideworldfootball.com/2024/07/10/french-lick-wounds-yamal-last-laugh/
Author : Paul Nicholson
Publish date : 2024-07-10 12:51:47
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Author : soccernews
Publish date : 2024-07-10 13:12:32
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.