Spain's Lamine Yamal, 16, becomes youngest Euro scorer ever

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 their 2-1 semifinal win over the 2018 World Cup winners.

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 and was named Player of the Match after the final whistle blew.

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.

"I'm very happy to have made it to the final. Now the most important thing is to win it," Yamal said after the game. "We were in a difficult moment, you wouldn't expect a goal so soon. I wanted to put it in where it went in, and I'm very happy. I try not to think too much, enjoy it and help the team and if it works out like this, I'm happy and content with the victory.

"I want to win, win and win. I'll celebrate my birthday here in Germany with my team."

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 before the break and Luis de la Fuente's side saw out a scoreless second half to advance to the final against either England or the Netherlands.