Sports
EURO2024: Spain Defeats France, Advance To Final
Lamine Yamal, 16, became the tournament’s youngest-ever goalscorer as Spain came back to beat France 2-1 in Munich on Tuesday and reach the Euro 2024 final.
Trailing after Randal Muani headed in a Kylian Mbappe cross in the 9th minute, Spain turned the match around in four minutes, scoring twice against a side that had only conceded once in five previous games in this tournament.
Yamal, who turns 17 a day before Sunday’s final against either the Netherlands or England in Berlin, equalised with a superb strike from outside the box, curling a long-range effort into the top corner and past the fingertips of an airborne Mike Maignan.
Spain took the lead on 25 minutes as Dani Olmo expertly gathered a loose ball and fired a low shot into the net with the aid of a deflection off Jules Kounde.
Masters of midfield game management, Spain, shut up shop after taking the lead, frequently holding possession rather than attacking on the counter, controlling the match and claiming the win.
Three-time champions Spain became the first team to win six games at a Euros and are one game away from a record-breaking fourth crown.
Finalists in three of the past four major tournaments, questions will be asked of how France failed to click up front despite boasting enviable attacking riches.
France had only scored three goals heading into the match, none of which were scored by a French player from open play and coach Didier Deschamps reacted, benching forward Antoine Griezmann for Ousmane Dembele.
Yamal created the first chance of the match four minutes in, lofting a curling cross to an unmarked Fabian Ruiz, who headed over from point-blank range.
Four minutes later, Mbappe skated down the left flank and sent in a carbon copy of Yamal’s cross, but Kolo Muani’s header was on target to give France the lead.
While the pre-match doubts focused on Spain veterans Jesus Navas, 38, and Nacho, 34, who replaced suspended duo Dani Carvajal and Robin Le Normand, the younger Aymeric Laporte and Marc Cucurella were at fault for Kolo Muani’s opener.
France’s strike seemed to take the wind out of Spain’s sails but it was the youngest player on the pitch who produced a piece of sublime brilliance to level the scores.
Collecting the ball well outside the box, Yamal cut inside, took one look at the goal and unleashed a perfect curling strike into the top left corner.
The goal made Yamal, who already has three assists at Euro 2024, the youngest scorer in the competition’s history, beating the previous record by a year and a half.
Lamal’s goal, 13 minutes after France’s opener, ignited Spain’s attack and La Roja took the lead four minutes later through Olmo.
Olmo leapt acrobatically to collect a cleared cross, shed a defender and smashed goalwards, his shot taking a deflection off Kounde before bouncing in.
France’s best chance to force extra time fell to their captain with five minutes remaining, but Mbappe blasted well over with only goalkeeper Unai Simon to beat.
AFP
Atalanta manager Gian Piero Gasperini has clarified that he didn’t intend to offend his player Ademola Lookman.
Gasperini infuriated Lookman after criticising the Nigerian international for taking a penalty in Tuesday night’s home loss to Club Brugge.
The Italian declared that the striker was “one of the worst penalty kick takers” he had ever seen.
But, Lookman responded by labelling his manager’s comment disrespectful.
However, Gasperini clarified his position, saying: “He had an extraordinary impact. My words were never meant to be offensive.”
Gasperini spoke at a press conference on Saturday via TMW.
“Yesterday, in Udinese-Lecce, we saw what could have turned into a global spectacle, but fortunately, the players let it go,” he said.
“I would have liked to see a great player like him [Lookman] make a gesture toward [Charles] De Ketelaere, saying, ‘Come on, take the ball, put it in.
“He could become a penalty taker, adding another scoring ability. But I almost feel like there’s a narrative being pushed that Atalanta are in chaos when the reality is quite different.
“I always speak in front of the whole team, this has never even been an issue within the club.
“The player felt offended, but I never intended to offend anyone. In the end, I think it turned out well because there was no unnecessary drama.
“I also appreciated what happened in the Udinese game, with both the players and the coach. Lookman came on against Brugge in an extraordinary way, and his gesture, even if generous, doesn’t change my opinion,” Gasperini stated.
Former Liverpool man, Didi Hamann has told Arsenal they cannot win titles without a top striker.
Hamann believes that Arsenal’s quest for titles would remain a mirage if they fail to bring in a top striker.
He named Ollie Watkins as another good option the Gunners could have gone for in the winter transfer window.
“I said that before, I don’t see them winning the Premier League or the Champions League unless they sign a centre-forward like Ollie Watkins,” he told Prime Casino.
I don’t know how serious that was, but [Jhon] Duran went to Saudi, so I think it was always unlikely they’re gonna let Watkins go, still being in the Champions League.
“I think the team is well equipped, but the lack of a centre forward is obviously what I think harms their chances,” he added.
Mikel Arteta’s side have also been linked with Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak, Liam Delap and Youssef En-Nesyri.
They are in dire need of a front man to solve their goal-scoring issues.
The Gunners are without a striker for the rest of the season following injuries to Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.
Victory in the FA Cup last week, a win in the Premier League tonight… Brighton are wishing they could play Chelsea every week.
A hugely-impressive performance from the home side who now move up into eighth place, above both Aston Villa and Fulham.
Brighton enjoyed their first home win in six games in the Premier League (D3 L2), while it was their joint-biggest win in the competition over a side starting the day in the fop four, along with a 3-0 win v Arsenal in May 2023 under Roberto De Zerbi.
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