Lamine Yamal described his historic Euro 2024 bow as a “dream” after Spain hammered Croatia 3-0 of their Group B opener on Saturday.
Beginning on the age of 16 years and 338 days, Yamal grew to become the youngest participant to ever characteristic on the European Championships, and he rewarded Luis de la Fuente’s religion with a terrific efficiency.
The Barcelona winger noticed his inviting cross prodded house by Dani Carvajal for La Roja’s third purpose, after Alvaro Morata and Fabian Ruiz had put them in management.
Solely fellow teen Pedri matched his complete of three possibilities created, whereas he led all gamers for crosses (three) and noticed his three profitable dribbles equalled solely by Dani Olmo.
Talking after the sport, Yamal mentioned of Spain’s advantageous show: “We belief ourselves quite a bit. We went out to present it our all, as a result of three factors already does quite a bit within the group stage.
“It’s a dream. I’m very completely happy to have performed within the European Championship.
“The staff could be very assured. Now we’ve to go all out in opposition to Italy. Nothing modifications for one sport. We go along with the identical confidence. The work of those previous couple of months has been mirrored at this time.”
1 – Dani Carvajal has turn into the oldest participant to attain for #Spain within the #EUROs (32 years and 156 days), assisted by Lamine Yamal, the youngest to help within the historical past of the competitors (16 years and 338 days). Spicy.#Euro2024 pic.twitter.com/m9RgG3S32Q
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) June 15, 2024
Spain are actually within the driving seat in a bunch many regard because the hardest on the match forward of going through Italy and Albania.
Captain Morata moved to seven European Championship targets together with his opener, with solely Cristiano Ronaldo (14) and Michel Platini (9) ever scoring extra.
Morata later appeared to be holding his leg in discomfort when he was withdrawn for Mikel Oyarzabal, however the striker has assured followers he will probably be match to face Italy on Thursday.
“It was necessary to start out like this,” Morata mentioned. “We pressed an incredible staff very nicely. We should go for the video games from the beginning and now take into consideration the subsequent one.”
On the knock he suffered within the second half, he mentioned: “It was only a blow, I used to be loading different elements of my leg.
“The very best factor was to exit and have one other team-mate play higher.”
136 – Regardless of their 3-0 victory, Spain had much less possession than their opponents (47%) for the primary time in a aggressive match for the reason that EURO 2008 last in opposition to Germany (46%), ending a run of 136 such matches with nearly all of possession. Renewal? pic.twitter.com/GE3PF14okd
— OptaJean (@OptaJean) June 15, 2024
