Spain’s Yamal, 16, becomes youngest Euro scorer

Lamine Yamal became the youngest player ever to score at a men’s European Championship on Tuesday when he netted a goal against France in the semifinal match.

The 16-year-old Yamal scored in the 21st minute, curling a stunning finish past France goalkeeper Mike Maignan and into the top left corner off the inside of the post.

Yamal is 16 years and 362 days old. The previous youngest scorer was Swiss player Johan Vonlanthen (18 years, 141 days), also against France, at Euro 2004.

This is the second significant record set by the Barcelona teenager, who had already become the youngest to ever feature at a Euro at 16 years and 338 days old when he took the field for Spain’s Group B win over Croatia.

Yamal took that record from Poland midfielder Kacper Kozłowski, who was 17 years and 246 days old when he came off the bench at Euro 2020 (which was played in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic) against Spain.

“He just keeps on breaking records,” Spain coach Luis de la Fuente said of Yamal after the Croatia game. “He’s growing, maturing and getting better every day.

“He’s on the path to be a great player, but he’s very young and we have to be patient with him.”

The score was 2-1 at half-time. Yamal’s goal canceled out Randal Kolo Muani‘s opener for France.

France defender Jules Koundé turned the ball into his own net four minutes after Yamal’s goal to give Spain the lead.