Lamine Yamal: Spain beats France to reach Euro 2024 final after historic goal from 16-year-old

(CNN) — Lamine Yamal made history by becoming the youngest player to score in a men’s European Championship as Spain edged past France 2-1 to reach Sunday’s Euro 2024 final.

France took the lead inside 10 minutes after Randal Kolo Muani headed home from Kylian Mbappé’s cross, but Spain leveled the scores soon after thanks to 16-year-old Yamal’s stunning long-range effort.

Dani Olmo then produced a brilliant effort of his own less than five minutes later to put Spain into the lead and it was an advantage La Roja defended stoically until the full-time whistle.

Tuesday’s victory also means Spain becomes the first team to win six straight matches at a single European Championship tournament.

Luis de la Fuente’s side will now face either the Netherlands or England, who play on Wednesday, in the final as Spain goes in search of a fourth Euros crown.

Yamal, who picked up the man of the match award for his performance, celebrates his 17th birthday the day before the final and said his “goal” was to still be in Germany for the occasion.

“We were a goal down and I just got the ball, I didn’t think about it much and then shot towards the goal,” he said, per AFP.

“We are very, very close. [We’re] with a lot of happiness. This team is unbelievable. We deserve it. One step away from glory.”

Few had picked Spain to win the tournament, but La Roja has been unequivocally the best team at Euro 2024 and already dispatched host Germany after extra-time in the quarterfinals.

The pace and trickery of Yamal and Athletic Bilbao’s 21-year-old winger Nico Williams have been one of the highlights of Spain’s tournament – Rodri’s control in midfield is another – and the pair of young forwards will undoubtedly continue to play a vital role for the national team in the years to come.