Spain has been waiting for this moment for twelve years. Since their victory at Euro 2012, La Roja had not reached the final of a major tournament. This changed last night when Luis De La Fuente's men triumphed 2-1 against France in the Euro semi-final. The Spanish media erupted in joy, with Marca exclaiming, 'A great Spain in the final!!' and highlighting the four-minute turnaround that secured their place in the final on Sunday in Berlin.
Lamine Yamal, the young Barcelona striker who will turn 17 on Saturday, became the focal point of the Spanish press. His equalizing goal, a stunning strike into Mike Maignan's skylight, was celebrated with headlines like 'Lamine, for eternity' and 'Historic!' Yamal's performance was lauded across various publications, with Mundo Deportivo dubbing him 'Lamine Final!' and AS declaring, 'Fantastic, happy, finalists.'
The match was a testament to Spain's resilience and evolving style. After Kolo Muani opened the scoring for France, Spain responded with a record goal from Yamal, followed by a decisive strike from Dani Olmo. The victory marked a significant shift from their disappointing World Cup performance, showcasing a new generation of players hungry for glory.
Kylian Mbappé, playing without his protective mask, was a central figure for France but could not lead his team to victory. Despite his efforts and a few close calls, including a blocked shot by Unai Simón and a dangerous cross from Dembélé, France could not break Spain's newfound defensive and offensive synergy.
Spain demonstrated the personality and determination of a team that has counted all its games by victories in this Euro. Their possession-based strategy, combined with the counterattack speed of players like Nico Williams and Yamal, proved too much for France. The victory was sealed with a solid defensive performance and strategic ball control, ensuring their place in the final.
