France manager Didier Deschamps has taken a swipe at Lamine Yamal after his side’s Euro 2024 exit.
Deschamps’ side went down 2-1 to Spain in their semi-final on Tuesday night, with Yamal scoring the first of his side’s goals to level up the score after Randal Kolo Muani’s opener.
Yamal, 16, received widespread praise for his performance and strike, helping his side to the final of the competition they won in both 2008 and 2012.
He has been a sensation at Euro 2024 on the back of his performances, and has been tipped for a big future by a number of fans and pundits who have followed his progress.
Not everyone was full of praise, however. Deschamps dismissed Yamal’s goal following his side’s defeat, not appearing to take the loss well.
‘His shot was magnificent,’ Deschamps, who will stay on as France manager through to the 2026 World Cup, said. ‘He was very lucky, but we shouldn’t take away his credit. We were obviously one too far behind him.
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‘The Spanish have many good strikers outside the box. We gave him a little too much freedom.’
Kolo Muani’s goal came via a header from a smart Kylian Mbappe cross, but France were limited in their attacking play and struggled to test Spain.
Dani Olmo got the second of his side’s goals on the night with another fine effort, going in via Jules Kounde.
Yamal became the youngest-ever scorer at the Euros with the goal, breaking a record that had stood since 2004, held by former Switzerland forward Johan Vonlanthen.
Spain are now heavy favourites to lift the trophy on Sunday after beating both Germany and France on their ways to the last two.
They have a plethora of attacking options at their disposal, with Yamal and Nico Williams flanking Alvaro Morata in an impressive front three.
Spain boss Luis de la Fuente led the praise for Yamal after the game, with the veteran almost relying one someone more than 45 years his junior to help his side deliver success.
‘We have seen a genius, the product of a genius,’ he said. ‘He’s a player we have to take care of. I have to give him the advice to keep working with the same humility and keep his feet on the floor.
‘He would keep growing but this maturity and attitude at such a young age is like that of a more experienced player. We are lucky he is Spanish and we can enjoy him for many more years.’