Lamine Yamal Shines as Spain Edges Past Italy in Euro 2024 Clash

That's quite the compliment for Lamine Yamal, who just put on another amazing show in the European Championship, proving why everyone is talking about this 16-year-old phenomenon with the blond tinges in his dark hair and the magic in his boots.

In Spain's 1-0 victory over Italy on Thursday, one particular moment caught our attention.



In the midst of the first half, Yamal had just begun to show off for the crowd, which included Spain's King Felipe VI, earning some "ooohs" and "ahhhs" when the young Barcelona player found himself inside off his right wing with the ball at his feet.

He suddenly came to life, slamming past Federico Dimarco's and Jorginho's attempted challenges as he managed to retain the ball glued to his left foot. He was able to feed the ball through to Alvaro Morata so that the striker could get a shot off as another challenge was made.

Really, Messi could have been the one.

As it could have when he skillfully lifted the ball over Davide Frattesi's sprawling tackle after cutting back off his wing.

Or when he left two Italians grasping at air with a double drag-back.

Or, at the hour mark, when he unleashed a powerful left-footed shot that brushed the outside of the post and curved slightly.

In the 71st minute, Yamal was replaced, much to the delight of the Spanish supporters and probably the relief of their Italian counterparts.

In the red shirt of Spain, this was his eighth and by far his greatest match, and he did not let us down.

It's important to emphasize that this child, who was born close to Barcelona to a Moroccan father and an Equatorial Guinean mother, won't turn 17 until July 13, the day before the Euro 2024 championship.

Yamal became the youngest player to feature at a European Championship in Spain's 3-0 victory over Croatia on Saturday. Yamal is the youngest player to score for Spain's national team, the youngest to start in the Champions League, and the youngest to make his league debut at the age of fifteen years, nine months, and sixteen days.

Ahead of the Italy match, he flicked through his smart phone and wore big earphones inside the Veltins Arena. He was obviously unfazed even though it was the biggest game of the tournament thus far.

After all, this is a player who is excelling at a fantastic age. Heck, he has a one billion euro buyback clause at Barcelona.

Yamal didn't have an ideal Thursday. Just before he came off, he attempted a backheel and got it completely wrong. Given that Yamal usually opted for simplicity rather than spectacularity, it was arguable that Nico Williams, the 21-year-old left winger for Spain, posed a greater threat to Italy.

Williams did indeed claim that upon being named player of the match, his Spain teammates cheered him into the locker room.

Luis de la Fuente, the coach of Spain, stated that he did not like to "highlight one individual over another."

He said, "Spain won tonight."

However, one thing was certain: Yamal's ball caused the most jolt of excitement among the onlookers.

As it was with Messi during the previous World Cup in Qatar.

Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Press Time staff and has been published from a syndicated feed.