Spain wonderkid Lamal Yamal, 16, becomes the youngest scorer in Euros history with a stunning semi-final goal against France, as he makes Adrien Rabiot eat his pre-match words

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By James

By Robert Summerscales

Published: | Updated:

Lamal Yamal made European Championship history on Tuesday night by becoming the youngest goalscorer in the competition’s history.

The Spanish prodigy, just 16 years and 362 days old, broke that record in style by finding the net with a stunning long-range shot against France.

The goal came 21 minutes into Tuesday’s Euro 2024 semi-final, after Randal Kolo Muani had headed France ahead earlier.

Before Yamal fired the ball into the top corner of Mike Maignan’s goal, he surprised French midfielder Adrien Rabiot with some beautiful footwork.

This came just a day after Rabiot told reporters that Yamal needed to improve his game to put Les Bleus in trouble.

Lamal Yamal, 16 years and 362 days, is the youngest goalscorer in European Championship history

Yamal's long-range goal for Spain against France came after he had touched Adrien Rabiot (left)

Yamal’s long-range goal for Spain against France came after he had touched Adrien Rabiot (left)

The 29-year-old French midfielder Rabiot had spoken about Yamal in the run-up to Tuesday's match

The 29-year-old French midfielder Rabiot had spoken about Yamal in the run-up to Tuesday’s match

Rabiot said of Yamal on Monday: ‘We saw that he was a player who could handle pressure well. He has a lot of qualities. He is able to play with his qualities at club level, but also at big tournaments, without pressure.

‘It’s always difficult to reach a semi-final in such a tournament, but it’s up to us to put pressure on him, make him feel uncomfortable and show him that to play in a European Championship final he has to do a lot more than he has done so far.’

Yamal responded by writing on Instagram: ‘Move in silence. Speak only when it’s time to say checkmate.’

Before Yamal, Switzerland’s Johan Vonlanthen held the record for the youngest goalscorer at a European Men’s Championship.

Vonlanthen was 18 years and 141 days old when he scored at Euro 2004, also against France.

Meanwhile, Wayne Rooney – who scored for England against Switzerland in 2004 237 days after his 18th birthday – has dropped to third on the list.

YOUNGEST EUROS SCORERS

1. Lamine Yamal 16 years 362 days (Spain v France, 09/07/2024)

2. Johan Vonlanthen 18 years 141 days (Switzerland 1-3 France, 21/06/2004)

3. Wayne Rooney 18 years 237 days (England 3-0 Switzerland, 17/06/2004)

4. Renato Sanches 18 years 317 days (Poland 1-1 Portugal, 30/06/2016)

5. Dragan Stojković 19 days 108 days (France 3-2 Yugoslavia, 19/06/1984)

6. Arda Güler 19 years 114 days (Turkey 3-1 Georgia, 18/06/2024)

7. Cristiano Ronaldo 19 years 128 days (Portugal 1-2 Greece, 12/06/2004)

8. Ferenc Bene 19 years 183 days (Spain 2-1 Hungary, 17/06/1964)

9. Cristian Chivu 19 years 238 days (England 2-3 Romania, 20/06/2000)

10. Patrick Kluivert 19 years 353 days (Netherlands 1-4 England, 18/06/1996)

Yamal's record-breaking goal was the fourth of the teenager's senior international career

Yamal’s record-breaking goal was the fourth of the teenager’s senior international career

With his wonder goal on Tuesday, Yamal’s total international goal tally now stands at four, having scored three in his last 12 appearances for La Roja.

The winger plays club football for Barcelona and is a product of the club’s famous La Masia academy.

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