In the early hours of July 10, Spain defeated France 2-1 in the Euro semi-finals, advancing to the next stage. Post-match, Alfredo, former chief editor of Spanish newspaper AS, stated that the Spanish team is rescuing the Euros.
According to Alfredo, the Euros seemed to be losing their appeal due to a series of cautious and conservative matches, with teams playing it safe to the disappointment of fans. Amidst this dullness, the Spanish team emerged as a bright spot, injecting vitality and passion into the tournament with its bold tactics and the unique charm of its wingers.
France, recently the undisputed master of European football, faced criticism for its tactical choices. Despite boasting top-tier attackers, Deschamps’ team was overly reliant on physical superiority and defensive stability, at the expense of the beauty and creativity of attacking football. Spain’s victory served as a powerful counterargument to this conservatism, proving that Deschamps’ tactical mindset was wrong.
Spain once again delivered a textbook performance, with their offense meticulously organized and fluid. While holding off France’s relentless assault, they demonstrated tenacity and resilience. As the match progressed, Deschamps had to adjust his tactics, deploying Mbappe, Griezmann, Giroud, and Balkora among others, to try and breach Spain’s defense. Yet, even under extreme fatigue, the Spanish players held their ground. De La Fuente’s substitution strategy proved effective yet again, as the team united to control the game’s tempo, cleverly running down the clock, forcing France into hasty and anxious actions.
Behind all this, the brightest star was undoubtedly Yamar, who was about to turn 17. Initially, although Spain dominated, Mbappe’s lightning strike changed the game in an instant, with a precise cross assisting Kolo Muani to head the ball into the net. Mbappe remained a threat but failed to change the scoreline again. After a brief period of chaos and panic, Yamar’s stunning goal extinguished France’s excitement, followed by Olmo’s goal to give Spain the lead, which ended 2-1. The Spanish players delivered commendable performances, but in the annals of history, Yamar’s name will be forever linked to this classic clash.