LAMINE YAMAL'S SUBLIME SPAIN GOAL WAS A 'TOUCH OF GENIUS', HAILS LUIS DE LA FUENTE - AS HE LABELS HIS SIDE AS AN 'INSATIABLE TEAM' THAT 'WANT TO CONTINUE MAKING HISTORY' AFTER REACHING EURO 2024 FINAL

• Spain are through to the final of Euro 2024 after beating France 2-1 in the semis
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Spain coach Luis de la Fuente called on football to 'take care' of 16-year-old Lamine Yamal after declaring his wonder-strike against France as a 'touch of genius.'

Yamal, who plays for Barcelona, became the youngest goalscorer ever at a major tournament as Spain secured their place in the Euro 2024 final, with a 2-1 win over France.

'We saw a touch of genius from a footballer who we all need to take care of,' said De La Fuente. 

'I would like him to work with the same humility and keep learning with the same attitude and maturity he shows on the pitch. He looks like such an experienced player already and hopefully we can all enjoy him for years to come.' the Spain coach added.

De la Fuente became the first coach to win six consecutive games at the Euros. His side will head to Berlin for their first final since 2012, with a 100 per cent record at this year's tournament, and the manager hailed his players and declared that Spain is in 'its rightful place.'

'My players are exemplary, said De la Fuente. 'Individually they are fantastic but they always work together for the common goal. 

'This is just one more sign that this is an insatiable team that wants to keep on improving. These players are an example for every young player in our country. We want to continue making history and remain focused until Sunday's final in Berlin,' he added.

Spain's celebrations after the full-time whistle were interrupted when a member of security slipped and hurt their captain, Alvaro Morata. But De la Fuente insisted that Morata is expected to be fine for the final on Sunday.

'We will wait until tomorrow (Wednesday) to check on Alvaro (Morata). I don't think it's anything and we think he will be OK,' he said.

Meanwhile, France boss Didier Deschamps admitted that he was 'the one responsible' for their exit but stressed that his players didn't perform to their highest standards at the Euros.

Randal Kolo Muani's opener against Spain was France's first goal in open play at the tournament and only their fourth goal in six games at Euro 2024.

'My players didn't play at 100 per cent of their capacity for the Euros for several reasons,' said Deschamps. 

'Even though we managed to reach the semi-finals, we faced a Spanish side with so much quality. They mastered the game better. I don't doubt my players efforts but we didn't perform so well.'

And Deschamps hailed Yamal after the Spanish winger delivered one of the great European Championship moments to equalise for Spain before Dani Olmo gave Spain the lead four minutes later.

'His (Yamal's) shot was magnficent,' said Deschamps. 'He deserves all the credit he gets.'

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2024-07-09T23:45:32Z