"Illegal things from Lamine Yamal" - Rio Ferdinand in awe of Spain winger as he scores long-range goal in Euro 2024 SF with France
Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has waxed lyrical of Spain winger Lamine Yamal scoring a brilliant equaliser in the ongoing Euro 2024 semi-final with France in Munich on Tuesday (July 9). After Randal Kolo Muani had given Les Bleus an eighth-minute lead, Yamal restored parity within 13 minutes with a sumptuous strike.
The 16-year-old curled in a brilliant left-footer past the despairing dive of France custodian Mike Maignan as La Roja drew level. It made Lamal the youngest player to score in Euro finals history, having registered three assists in four previous games.
Ferdinand simply tweeted in awe about the 'illegal' things Yamal has been conjuring at his tender age, tweeting:
"Illegal things from Lamine Yamal 16 years old people"
Yamal has been a key first-team player for Luis de la Fuente's side as they topped the group stage, ahead of defending champions Italy and 2018 FIFA World Cup finalist Croatai.
After assisting in the 3-0 opening group-stage win over Croatia, Yamal did so again in the 4-1 come-from-behind Round-of-16 win over Georgia. He provided another assist in Spain's 2-1 extra-time win over hosts Germany in the quarter-finals.
Lamine Yamal stars in blistering start to Euro 2024 semi-final between Spain and France
In a blistering start to Euro 2024 semi-final action, both teams squandered presentable openings before France captain Kylian Mbappe laid out a perfect cross to Randal Kolo Muani to open the scoring inside 10 minutes.
However, as mentioned above, the lead was short-lived, as Yamal's brilliant equaliser - assisted by Alvaro Morata - hauled De la Fuente's side back on level terms.
Soon, the three-time champions turned the game on its head, with a teasing ball across goal from Dani Olmo diverted into his own net by the unfortunate Jules Kounde.
Just past the hour mark, Les Bleus boss Didier Deschamps rang in the changes, bringing on Antoine Griezmann for Kolo Muani. Griezmann is now France's most capped player in major tournaments, breaking a tie with former captain Hugo Lloris (35).
Only Cristiano Ronaldo (52), Bastian Schweinsteiger (38) and Miroslav Klose (37) stand ahead of the Frenchman in the all-time major-tournament appearances list.