Football

Lamine Yamal, the 16-year-old Spanish prodigy, etched his name into the history books of the Euro 2024 tournament on Tuesday. In a thrilling semifinal clash against France, Yamal became the youngest-ever goalscorer in the competition, inspiring Spain to a 2-1 comeback victory and a berth in the final.Trailing to a ninth-minute header from Randal Kolo Muani, Spain's hopes seemed to be fading. However, Yamal's moment of brilliance ignited a four-minute turnaround that turned the tide of the match. Collecting the ball outside the box, the teenage sensation cut inside and unleashed a curling strike that nestled into the top corner, leaving French goalkeeper Mike Maignan helpless.Just four minutes later, Dani Olmo doubled Spain's lead with a deflected shot that found its way past Jules Kounde. The goal was a testament to Spain's dominance in midfield, as they controlled possession and dictated the tempo of the game.Despite boasting an array of attacking talent, France struggled to find their rhythm in the final third. Antoine Griezmann was benched in favor of Ousmane Dembele, but the change failed to spark the French attack.Yamal's goal not only leveled the scores but also set a new record for the youngest scorer in Euro history. The previous record was held by Renato Sanches, who scored for Portugal at the age of 18 in 2016.Spain's victory marks a significant milestone in their illustrious footballing history. They became the first team to win six games at a Euros and are now just one game away from a record-breaking fourth crown.For France, the defeat raises questions about their attacking prowess. Despite possessing world-class players like Kylian Mbappe, they have struggled to score goals consistently throughout the tournament.As Spain prepares to face either the Netherlands or England in Sunday's final, they will be buoyed by the performance of their young star, Lamine Yamal. The 16-year-old has already made a significant impact on the tournament and will be looking to continue his impressive form in the grandest stage of European football.

Spain, the reigning European champions, have secured their place in the knockout stages of Euro 2024 after a dominant performance against Italy. Despite having the luxury of resting key players for their final group game against Albania, coach Luis de la Fuente is determined to maintain the momentum his team has built up.De la Fuente has been vocal in his praise for his squad, describing them as the best in the tournament, if not the world. The evidence so far supports his claim. Spain have looked the most impressive team on display, showcasing their slick passing, attacking flair, and defensive solidity.Teenager Lamine Yamal, winger Nico Williams, and 21-year-old Pedri have all produced dazzling displays, while experienced players like Alvaro Morata, Dani Carvajal, and Rodri provide invaluable tournament experience.However, De la Fuente faces a dilemma for the Albania game. While resting key players could disrupt their rhythm and sharpness, he is also forced to make at least one change due to Rodri's suspension.Albania, on the other hand, will be desperate for a win to keep their hopes of reaching the knockout phase alive. They secured a last-gasp draw against Croatia in their previous match, and their Brazilian coach Sylvinho has instilled a sense of belief in his squad.Despite Spain's dominance, Albania will be no pushovers. They have shown resilience and determination in their previous matches, and they will be eager to make a statement against the tournament favorites.

Spain and Croatia, two European football powerhouses, will face off in a highly anticipated Group B encounter at the Euro 2024 in Berlin on Saturday.Spain, under the guidance of coach Luis de la Fuente, will be looking to make a strong start to their campaign with a victory over Croatia. De la Fuente has praised the talents of young wingers Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams, who have impressed with their performances for Barcelona and Athletic Bilbao respectively.Croatia, on the other hand, will be aiming to continue their impressive run at major tournaments. Despite being considered underdogs, the team led by Luka Modric has consistently exceeded expectations. Modric, the 2018 Ballon d'Or winner, remains a key figure for Croatia and will be looking to inspire his team to another memorable performance.The match will be played at the Olympiastadion Berlin, with kickoff scheduled for 9:30 am IST. The match will be telecast live on the Sony Sports Network and streamed live on the SonyLiv app and website.Spain will be hoping to build on their recent success, having won the 2021 UEFA Nations League. Croatia, meanwhile, will be aiming to replicate their heroics from the 2018 World Cup, where they reached the final.Both teams have a wealth of experience and quality, and the match promises to be a thrilling encounter. Spain will be looking to control possession and dictate the tempo of the game, while Croatia will likely adopt a more counter-attacking approach.The outcome of the match could have a significant impact on the standings in Group B, which also includes Scotland and the Czech Republic. A victory for Spain would put them in a strong position to qualify for the knockout stages, while a win for Croatia would give them a major boost in their quest to reach the latter stages of the tournament.

Barcelona's resurgence continued on Monday as they secured a 2-0 victory over Real Sociedad, propelling them to second place in La Liga, just a point ahead of Girona. The win dealt a blow to Real Sociedad's Europa League aspirations, leaving them seventh in the standings.Despite having nothing but pride to play for in the final weeks of the season, Barcelona displayed a determined performance, eager to finish above their Catalan rivals. Lamine Yamal, the 16-year-old winger, opened the scoring in the 40th minute, showcasing his impressive skills. Raphinha sealed the victory with a late penalty, ensuring Barcelona's second-place finish.Barcelona coach Xavi praised his team's performance, highlighting their control of the game and the importance of the victory. He also acknowledged the need to finish above Girona, a testament to the club's desire to salvage some pride from a disappointing campaign.Real Sociedad, on the other hand, were left frustrated by the result, which hindered their chances of securing European football next season. Midfielder Benat Turrientes expressed his disappointment, lamenting the missed opportunities that could have changed the outcome of the match.Barcelona's victory was marred by Robert Lewandowski's visible frustration after being substituted with 15 minutes remaining. The Polish striker, who is vying for the La Liga top scorer award, was visibly upset by the decision. However, Xavi defended his choice, emphasizing the need for fresh legs and energy to maintain their lead.Barcelona will face Almeria on Thursday and Rayo Vallecano on Sunday in their final two matches of the season, aiming to secure their second-place finish. Real Sociedad, meanwhile, will look to bounce back and secure a Europa League berth in their remaining fixtures.

Barcelona, the five-time Champions League winners, are poised to host Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday, hoping to exorcise the ghosts of past failures and reclaim their place among Europe's elite. The Catalans' stunning 3-2 victory in the first leg in Paris has ignited dreams of a return to the final four.Coach Xavi Hernandez has instilled a new sense of belief in his young squad, which features two of the youngest players ever to grace the Champions League knockout stages: 16-year-old Lamine Yamal and 17-year-old Pau Cubarsi. Their youthful exuberance has brought a fresh perspective to a team that has been burdened by a string of disappointing European campaigns.Barcelona's last triumph in the competition came in 2015, when they were led by the formidable trio of Lionel Messi, Neymar, and Luis Suarez. Since then, they have endured a series of humiliating defeats, including a 4-0 collapse at Anfield in 2019 and an 8-2 thrashing by Bayern Munich in 2020.The psychological scars of those defeats have weighed heavily on Barcelona's veteran players, many of whom have since departed. However, Yamal and Cubarsi are untainted by those failures, and Xavi has praised their resilience."Yamal is very calm and mature," said Xavi. "He handles everything that happens to him so well, despite his young age."Cubarsi's composure was evident in Barcelona's victory over Napoli in the last 16, where he played a key role in securing their progression."He has a very well-furnished brain," said Xavi.Barcelona's young stars will be crucial in helping the team overcome the psychological barriers that have haunted them in recent years. They must "put the ghosts aside," as goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen put it, and focus on the task at hand.The Bayern Munich defeat in 2020 served as a wake-up call for Barcelona, who have since twice crashed out in the group stage. President Joan Laporta has pledged to restore the club to its former glory, and the team is now on the verge of reaching the final four for the first time in four years.Critics have questioned Laporta's decision to sell Messi and invest heavily in new signings, but the likes of Robert Lewandowski, Jules Kounde, and Raphinha have all played a significant role in Barcelona's resurgence.By winning La Liga last season, Barcelona proved that they are on the right track. Now, they must complete the job they started in Paris and demonstrate that their progress is not limited to domestic competition.

Ilkay Gundogan, a veteran midfielder who witnessed Phil Foden's rise at Manchester City, now finds himself mentoring a similar talent at Barcelona: Lamine Yamal. Gundogan, who joined Barcelona in 2023, has observed striking similarities between Foden and Yamal, both of whom debuted as teenagers.Like Guardiola at City, Xavi at Barcelona has shown faith in young players, giving Yamal ample playing time despite his tender age. However, Yamal's path has been more challenging, as he has assumed greater responsibility at a younger age than Foden.Gundogan attributes this difference to the size and competitiveness of Barcelona's squad, which has forced Yamal to prove himself more quickly. Despite the pressure, Yamal's attitude and character have impressed Gundogan, who believes the competition will ultimately benefit him.Barcelona's youth movement is evident in their roster, with over a dozen players born after 2004. Gundogan sees a bright future for the club, despite their current inconsistencies. He believes that the team is still in the early stages of a new project and that consistency will come with time.While Barcelona trails Real Madrid in the league, Gundogan remains optimistic about their Champions League prospects. He is focused on making Xavi's farewell as a manager a memorable one and is confident that the team can achieve success under his guidance.