"He's got the world at his feet" - England star lavishes praise on Lamine Yamal ahead of Euro 2024 final with Spain
Ahead of his team's Euro 2024 final with Spain on Sunday (July 14) in Berlin, England striker Ollie Watkins has waxed lyrical of La Roja midfield sensation Lamine Yamal. The 16-year-old has been one of the breakout stars in the competition.
Having become the youngest assist-provider in competition history in his team's 3-0 group-stage win over Croatia, Yamal became the youngest scorer in the 2-1 semi-final win over France in Munich on Tuesday (July 9).
After Les Bleus had taken a ninth-minute lead through Randal Kolo Muani, Yamal's wonderstrike 12 minutes later hauled La Roja back on level terms. Soon, Dani Olmo's deflected strike (off Jules Kounde) turned the game on its head as Luis de la Fuente reached their first European Championship final in 12 years.
Watkins - who scored a late winner off the bench in the 2-1 come-from-behind quarter-final win over the Netherlands in the last-four - has lavished praise on Yamal (as per Reshad Rahman):
“He’s an unbelievable talent, everyone has seen what he can do. A generational talent. It’s not often you are scoring against France in the semi-final of the Euros when you’re 16. He’s got the world at his feet. He’s miles ahead of me when I was 16 or 17”
Spain are eyeing a record fourth title this weekend, while England will strive to end a 58-year major-tournament drought, since the 1966 FIFA World Cup.
Records awaiting Spain's Lamine Yamal in Euro 2024 final against England
Spain starlet Lamine Yamal is on the cusp of more milestones as the Euro 2024 final with England beckons. Having become the youngest player to score at a major tournament, he's on course for a few more records.
If he features in the big game on Sunday, the Barcelona teenager will become the youngest player to appear in a major tournament final. The current record belongs to the late Pele, who was 17 years and 249 days old when he scored in the 5-2 win over Sweden in the 1958 FIFA World Cup final.
The youngest player to appear in an Euro final is Renato Sanchez, who was 18 years and 328 days when Portugal beat France 1-0 in extra time in the Euro 2016 final.
Yamal will also become the youngest scorer in an Euro final if he nets against England in the Euro 2024 final. If so, he will go past Pietro Anastasi, who was 64 days past his 20th birthday when he scored for Italy against Yugoslavia in the 1968 Euro final replay in Rome.