Euro 2024

ENGLAND’S dramatic semi-final win over the Netherlands was the first time the nation’s long-suffering supporters saw why the Three Lions were one of the favourites for the competition.Now, England face an impressive Spain side who have looked strong throughout the tournament. Gareth Southgate has been left with a fresh tactical conundrum for the final against SpainCredit: AlamyOllie Watkins sent England through with his last gasp winner against the NetherlandsCredit: RexBut now Southgate must decide whether to drop skipper Harry Kane after a largely anonymous performanceCredit: GettyIn their semi-final against France the Spanish fell behind to an early header from Randal Kolo-Muani before their quality started shining through as they comfortably won to secure their place in Berlin. There will, of course, be question marks for Southgate and his coaching staff coming into this match.Despite Southgate being relatively consistent to this stage in terms of his team selection, we may well be reaching the point now where he will make one of two important changes to the team.There are three important tactical questions coming into the final this coming weekend.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLIs it time for Ollie Watkins to start in attack?Watkins was the semi-final hero, but could he be given the nod to start v Spain?Credit: RexFrom the run, the touch, and then the shot that nestled just inside the corner of the Dutch goal, the winning goal that Ollie Watkins scored to send England to the final of the tournament was a masterclass in forward play. Crucially, for England, the goal came from an incisive run from the Aston Villa player to give his team-mate an option to pass to. The touch and the finish was simply the icing on the cake. So far in this tournament Harry Kane has struggled to create the same kind of impact and his movement, or relative lack of movement, when leading the line has been problematic for the English.Most read in Euro 2024BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSThat is not to say, of course, that Kane has become a bad player overnight.The Bayern Munich striker has led the line effectively for England for years. Meet Euro 2024 final ref who SLAPPED HaalandHowever his tendency to come back towards the ball as opposed to making runs behind that can stretch the opposition have slowed the English attack down so far in this tournament.Often it is players making runs from the midfield who attack the space, rather than England’s main marksman Kane.Bellingham is pushing high in possession but it is Foden who makes the most aggressive forward run as Kane holds his deeper position and does not move to attack the spaceAgainst Spain, who are the most technically gifted and possession-dominant team in the competition, it will be extremely important for England to be effective when it comes to stretching the play.In particular they must not allow the Spanish to push up and operate as a compact block in possession. This means that they need their striker to push on to the last defender for the Spanish and to threaten the space behind the defensive line with movement and work rate.This could mean that Southgate would be better to go with Watkins as the option to lead the line. The Villa striker is more athletic and mobile than Kane at this stage of his career.Watkins has the capacity to really make consistent runs behind that will force the Spanish to defend deeper than they will want to.The Villa striker makes just the type of runs and movement that could be the key to unlocking the Spanish defence.There is no doubt that dropping Kane, as the captain of the team, would be a huge decision from Southgate. Here, Watkins’ positioning makes him ready to make a run to go beyond the defensive line and to attack space behindHe is England’s all-time record goalscorer – with 66 goals in 97 appearances for his country.Yet I believe that dropping Kane would give England the best chance to win the tournament.Benching Kane and opting for match-winner Watkins would give England a new line of attackAnd most importantly stretch the Spanish defence to create space for the playmakers like Phil Foden, Jude Bellingham and Bukayo Saka in midfield.It is time to bring Luke Shaw in?Southgate has a decision to make on Luke Shaw’s playing timeCredit: RexThe left-back position, or left wing-back as it may be now, has been a highly contentious issue for Southgate since the start of the tournament. Having selected only one left-sided defender in the squad in Luke Shaw the fact that the Man United player has barely been fit enough to feature has caused huge issues for England. Over the last two matches, however, we have seen Shaw at least come off the bench and as soon as he is on the pitch, as a natural left-footed player, England have immediately looked more balanced.To this point we have seen Southgate choose to use the Newcastle right-back Kieran Trippier on the left-side.This is the kind of attacking movements that we can expect to see from Shaw. With Bellingham in possession Shaw looks to make an aggressive run to run behind the defensive lineTrippier is a superb full-back with obvious quality both in the attacking and defensive phases of play. As a right-footed player though he has a clear tendency to want to take a touch inside and pass back across the pitch when he is in possession on the left. This tendency has seen England look extremely passive on the left-side of their attack.Having a natural left-footed player as the left-sided wing-back in this new system that Southgate has started to use will mean that Spain cannot effectively narrow off the field and it will force them to defend the whole pitch. With Trippier passing and playing passively and back inside or even backwards this will not be the case with a left-footed player on that side.The same extends to situations where the left-sided fullback gets opportunities to cross the ball and get the ball into the final third or the penalty area. Shaw receives a long crossfield pass from the far side deep in the Dutch half. He takes a single touch to steady himself and then fires a low cross into the box with his left footHaving a player who is naturally left-footed receiving the ball on that side of the pitch means that the cross can come quickly and with quality. When a right-footed player receives the ball on this side there is a clear tendency for them to come back onto their right-foot and to cross from a deeper angle.If ever there was a time for Southgate to take the chance on Shaw’s fitness it will be coming into the final this weekend.England have to shut down the Spanish midfieldPreventing Rodri from dictating play will be a key mission for EnglandCredit: GettyThe technical quality of this Spain side spreads through their entire squad but their midfield unit takes things to another level. Despite losing Barcelona midfielder Pedri to injury during the tournament, we have seen their midfield barely miss a beat between Rodri, as the deepest midfielder, and Fabian Ruiz and Dani Olmo as the more advanced midfielders.England will, of course, be fully aware of the threat of Rodri given that they come up against him during the Premier League season with Manchester City.But this does not mean that he is easy to deal with. Here, we see Rodri picking up possession in transition and driving forward to attack the spacePart of the threat from the Spanish midfield, however, is that they all have complimentary profiles that allow them to work as a unit.The way they space the pitch with wingers staying outside and then midfielders driving forward to occupy and attack space is also a problem for opposition defenders. While Spain have been effective in moments of transition as they attack quickly and into space they are more dangerous if you let them dominate the game and control possession of the ball. In these situations, when they can squeeze the pitch and play higher.Dani Olmo is positioned in a pocket of space just outside the area and Spain’s accuracy to find players allows them to exploit spaceThe fact that the Spanish midfielders can all receive and play quickly in tight spaces and on minimal touches makes them exceptionally dangerous.England will have to find a way to limit the space that Spain have to play in and to prevent the midfield from easily playing through them.ConclusionFor England to have reached this stage of the tournament is no mean feat and there can be no doubt that they have improved significantly as the tournament has gone on. READ MORE SUN STORIESThis will be their biggest test yet though as Spain have consistently been the most impressive side in Germany.The outcome could hinge on whether Southgate is brave enough to drop his captain Kane and pick match-winner Watkins instead.England vs Spain recordEngland have played Spain 27 times in total – here is a look at every result…May 1929, Spain 4-3 England – International Friendly (L)December 1931, England 7-1 Spain – International Friendly (W)July 1950, Spain 1-0 England – World Cup (L)May 1955, Spain 1-1 England – International Friendly (D)November 1955, England 4-1 Spain – International Friendly (W)May 1960, Spain 3-0 England – International Friendly (L)October 1960, England 4-2 Spain – International Friendly (W)December 1965, Spain 0-2 England – International Friendly (W)May 1967, England 2-0 Spain – International Friendly (W)April 1968, England 1-0 Spain – European Championship (W)May 1968, Spain 1-2 England – European Championship (W)March 1980, Spain 0-2 England – International Friendly (W)June 1980, England 2-1 Spain – European Championship (W)March 1981, England 1-2 Spain – International Friendly (L)July 1982, Spain 0-0 England – World Cup (D)February 1987, Spain 2-4 England – International Friendly (W)September 1992, Spain 1-0 England – International Friendly (L)June 1996, England 0(4)-(2)0 Spain – European Championship (W)February 2001, England 3-0 Spain – International Friendly (W)November 2004, Spain 1-0 England – International Friendly (L)February 2007, England 0-1 Spain – International Friendly (L)February 2009, Spain 2-0 England – International Friendly (L)November 2011, England 1-0 Spain – International Friendly (W)November 2015, Spain 2-0 England – International Friendly (L)November 2016, England 2-2 Spain – International Friendly (D)September 2018, England 1-2 Spain – Nations League (L)October 2018, Spain 2-3 England – Nations League (W)Overall, England have won 14, drawn three and lost 10 matches against Spain. 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JOSE ENRIQUE expects Spain to beat England comfortably in tomorrow’s Euro 2024 final.The former Newcastle United and Liverpool defender reckons Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions have little chance of continental success in Berlin.Jose Enrique expects Spain to beat England comfortably in tomorrow’s Euro 2024 finalCredit: ReutersEnrique, 38, told Grosvenor Sport: “I think Spain are going to beat England in the Euros final – and I think they will win easily in the end.“I’d have to say that Spain will win 3-0. Spain are going to control the game.”Enrique, who won a League Cup with Liverpool in 2012, feels it would be the wrong tactic for England to be defensive against the best attacking unit at the tournament.The former Spain international continued: “I expect Gareth Southgate to set his team up in the same way they have all summer and sit back.READ MORE IN football “Much like they did against Holland in the semi-finals.“However, when England conceded the early goal they looked a completely different team, that’s when they then started to push and threaten more.“If Spain don’t score early then I can see England sitting back much like they have been doing for most of the tournament.“However, this is not going to work because if England sit back against Spain, then they will really struggle against what I believe is the toughest attacking outfit they’ve faced yet.Most read in Euro 2024England vs Spain recordEngland have played Spain 27 times in total – here is a look at every result…May 1929, Spain 4-3 England – International Friendly (L)December 1931, England 7-1 Spain – International Friendly (W)July 1950, Spain 1-0 England – World Cup (L)May 1955, Spain 1-1 England – International Friendly (D)November 1955, England 4-1 Spain – International Friendly (W)May 1960, Spain 3-0 England – International Friendly (L)October 1960, England 4-2 Spain – International Friendly (W)December 1965, Spain 0-2 England – International Friendly (W)May 1967, England 2-0 Spain – International Friendly (W)April 1968, England 1-0 Spain – European Championship (W)May 1968, Spain 1-2 England – European Championship (W)March 1980, Spain 0-2 England – International Friendly (W)June 1980, England 2-1 Spain – European Championship (W)March 1981, England 1-2 Spain – International Friendly (L)July 1982, Spain 0-0 England – World Cup (D)February 1987, Spain 2-4 England – International Friendly (W)September 1992, Spain 1-0 England – International Friendly (L)June 1996, England 0(4)-(2)0 Spain – European Championship (W)February 2001, England 3-0 Spain – International Friendly (W)November 2004, Spain 1-0 England – International Friendly (L)February 2007, England 0-1 Spain – International Friendly (L)February 2009, Spain 2-0 England – International Friendly (L)November 2011, England 1-0 Spain – International Friendly (W)November 2015, Spain 2-0 England – International Friendly (L)November 2016, England 2-2 Spain – International Friendly (D)September 2018, England 1-2 Spain – Nations League (L)October 2018, Spain 2-3 England – Nations League (W)Overall, England have won 14, drawn three and lost 10 matches against Spain.EURO 2024 FREE BETS AND OFFERSGareth Southgate should do the unthinkable and drop Harry KaneSunSport’s Dave Kidd explains why England captain should not start Netherlands clash.Gareth Southgate built this era of consistent English success on ruthlessness.Now can the England manager make the boldest selection call of all by benching his captain and all-time record goalscorer Harry Kane for Wednesday’s Euros semi-final against Holland?Because Kane needs a rest and England need a different option at centre-forward.Southgate started his reign  by thinking the unthinkable and binning off his captain and all-time leading scorer Wayne Rooney.Could he now do the same, temporarily, with Kane?Southgate may be loyal to a fault but even he  admitted his skipper was not “flowing” after Saturday’s shootout triumph over Switzerland.  The Three Lions chief replaced a struggling Kane with Ivan Toney in extra-time.Few of Europe’s leading stars  are peaking here and many are running on fumes. Yet even in this environment, Kane sticks out as being absolutely cream-crackered.During Saturday’s game, England needed an outlet as the Swiss pinned them back before Breel Embolo’s opener but Kane didn’t have the legs to provide it.He is not winning enough aerial duels, has been way off target with a couple of headed chances and against Switzerland his touch count was again worryingly low, just 26.Ideally, Kane would be honest enough to admit he is struggling.Yet all great goalscorers need  egos — a selfish streak is part of the job spec. And for a player who has, infamously, never won a trophy to offer himself up for a rest at the semi-final stage is almost unthinkable.But England needn’t rely on Kane to such an extent that they have to play him when half-fit.Southgate knows his history and made a point of telling his squad about 1966 and how England’s goalscoring talisman, Jimmy Greaves, was injured in the final group match and replaced by Geoff Hurst.Fifty-eight years later, another legendary Tottenham goalscorer is struggling for fitness.  Could Toney, or even Ollie Watkins, become the Hurst of 2024?Read Dave Kidd’s full column here“The likes of Lamine Yamal will really cause the England backline trouble if they’re too deep.“If both teams don’t sit back and play too cautiously and instead really attack with their fluid front-lines, then this has the potential to be a really great game.Watch Jude Bellingham’s classy reaction to heartbroken Holland stars after England’s incredible last-gasp Euro 2024 win “If you look at the talent on both sides, England probably has even more talented players than Spain.“However, given the performances across the whole tournament you would have to say Spain are the better team.”Enrique is backing Spain to hammer EnglandCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd More

MARC GUEHI will give away his winner’s medal if England clinch victory at Euro 2024.The Three Lions defender hands all his accolades to his parents.Marc Guehi will give his medal to his parents if England win the Euro 2024 finalCredit: AlamyGuehi, whose dad John is a church pastor, said: “I’ll give it (the medal) to mum and dad. They’ll take care of it.“For me, it’s more about the memories you can pass and share. That’s the most important thing, to be honest.“I’m just enjoying the ride. I do get nervous but it’s a feeling you just try to use to help you.”Guehi jumped to the defence of Harry Kane, who has received criticism for his performances.READ MORE ENGLAND NEWSHe said: “Harry’s doing well. I think more than ever in this competition you’ve seen that side of him being a real leader.”The 23-year-old has already lifted an international trophy with England at youth level.Guehi was part of the side which lifted the under-17 World Cup in India seven years ago.Current Leicester boss Steve Cooper managed a squad which also included Phil Foden and Conor Gallagher to glory.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSAs well as starting all seven matches at the tournament, Guehi also scored in the final as England beat Spain 5-2.He will be hoping to once again get the better of La Roja in a final on Sunday night.Meet Euro 2024 final ref who SLAPPED HaalandKobbie Mainoo: From work experience kid to England hero… and latest generational talentBy Charlie WyettAND we all thought England had just the one generational talent.Kobbie Mainoo was effectively brought to Germany as a work experience kid but has emerged as the key kid behind this country’s attempt to rewrite history.After just five senior starts, England’s new boy wonder will now have a teenage tear-up against Spain’s Lamine Yamal in the Euro 2024 final.Last night, he did not merely become England’s youngest ever player to feature in a semi-final of a major tournament, aged 19 years and 82 days.Here, he took this semi-final by the scruff of the neck, delivered a performance which was a joy to watch, particularly in the first half, and now England are in their first final on foreign soil.If Jude Bellingham thought he was certain to be England’s main posterboy over the next decade, he has someone else who has now emerged in his rear-view mirror within just a few weeks.To bag an FA Cup winners’ medal at the age of 19 was impressive. To then win Euro 2024 a couple of months later would be extraordinary.As we saw with Manchester United, Mainoo has now fitted seamlessly into the team and provided a perfect mix of both style and substance.Give it a couple of years, and you can only imagine how good this lad is going to be.For much of this tournament, the focus has been on the disappointing form of Harry Kane, Bellingham and Phil Foden.So Mainoo, to a degree, had almost been off the radar. But against the Dutch, in tight, congested spaces, he is a class apart.When he was put under pressure, remained cool, navigated his way out of difficult situations and drove forward.Despite what was at stake, Mainoo once again looked extraordinarily composed and was England’s best player in the first half. He won possession, he rode tackles and he drove forward like an old master.He nearly delivered an assist at 1-1 with some brilliant play. He received the ball from Foden, turned and drove forward before returning the ball to his team-mate but the shot was hacked off the line by Denzel Dumfries.Mainoo delivered a terrific block to snuff out some serious danger in a lightning-quick Dutch counter attack.In the second half, he had less space in midfield but nevertheless still had bags of energy and kept his discipline positionally – and then he let subs Cole Palmer and Ollie Watkins deliver the business.It is still mind-boggling that Mainoo is now heading to Berlin on Sunday, when you consider Mainoo only made his United debut against Charlton in the Carabao Cup in January 2023. His first Premier League start was just eight months ago.Yet it was his dazzling midfield form in an otherwise dysfunctional United team which earned him his first cap as a substitute against Brazil in March. He was then Man of the Match in a ridiculously-good performance in the 2-2 draw with Belgium.Mainoo’s form dipped in the last few weeks of the season. It was probably because he was knackered carrying some of his team-mates. But he then saved them again in the FA Cup final against Manchester City with a Man of the Match performance in a 2-1 win.A bit like Adam Wharton, he was part of England’s 26-man squad to soak up the experience, to learn what it is like to feature in a major tournament and maybe, if needed, to have a few cameo roles off the bench.And the fact he was effectively Southgate’s third-choice to partner Declan Rice here in Germany tells you exactly where he stood in a squad of 26.The Trent Alexander-Arnold midfield failed in the two opening games against Serbia and Denmark. Conor Gallagher – despite some bright performances as a sub in those games – really struggled in his start against Slovenia.Apart from a strong appearance as a substitute by Palmer, Mainoo’s performance against Slovakia was the only bright spot in a dismal and extremely fortunate win over Slovakia in the last 16.There was always a worry about Mainoo’s movement when England do not have possession but that will come with experience, like it would for any other central midfielder.Yet Mainoo has solved the problem for Southgate and now England can continue to dream big. And it is totally unthinkable from where you consider how they played in the group stages when they stunk out Germany.In Sunday’s final, England’s experienced players will be able to draw on the pain of both the 2018 World Cup and Euro 2020.For Mainoo, this will be a completely new experience but do not expect him to wilt. He’ll absolutely love it.Guehi could also be set for a place in the team of the tournament after starring for Gareth Southgate’s side in Germany.He has played every minute other than the quarter-final against Switzerland, which he missed through injury.The Crystal Palace centre-back also set up Jude Bellingham’s stoppage time equaliser against Slovakia in the last 16.England vs Spain recordEngland have played Spain 27 times in total – here is a look at every result…May 1929, Spain 4-3 England – International Friendly (L)December 1931, England 7-1 Spain – International Friendly (W)July 1950, Spain 1-0 England – World Cup (L)May 1955, Spain 1-1 England – International Friendly (D)November 1955, England 4-1 Spain – International Friendly (W)May 1960, Spain 3-0 England – International Friendly (L)October 1960, England 4-2 Spain – International Friendly (W)December 1965, Spain 0-2 England – International Friendly (W)May 1967, England 2-0 Spain – International Friendly (W)April 1968, England 1-0 Spain – European Championship (W)May 1968, Spain 1-2 England – European Championship (W)March 1980, Spain 0-2 England – International Friendly (W)June 1980, England 2-1 Spain – European Championship (W)March 1981, England 1-2 Spain – International Friendly (L)July 1982, Spain 0-0 England – World Cup (D)February 1987, Spain 2-4 England – International Friendly (W)September 1992, Spain 1-0 England – International Friendly (L)June 1996, England 0(4)-(2)0 Spain – European Championship (W)February 2001, England 3-0 Spain – International Friendly (W)November 2004, Spain 1-0 England – International Friendly (L)February 2007, England 0-1 Spain – International Friendly (L)February 2009, Spain 2-0 England – International Friendly (L)November 2011, England 1-0 Spain – International Friendly (W)November 2015, Spain 2-0 England – International Friendly (L)November 2016, England 2-2 Spain – International Friendly (D)September 2018, England 1-2 Spain – Nations League (L)October 2018, Spain 2-3 England – Nations League (W)Overall, England have won 14, drawn three and lost 10 matches against Spain. 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IF Spain’s Nico Williams wins the Euros tomorrow, he will dedicate it to his dad who used to man the turnstiles at Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge.The Athletic Bilbao winger —  one of breakout stars of the tournament — says he owes his success to his parents Felix and Maria who arrived in Spain as refugees in 1994.Nico Williams has become at Spanish hero at Euro 2024Credit: GettyWilliams has said he will dedicate a Spain win to his fatherCredit: GettyNico, left, is the brother of Athletic Bilbao team-mate InakiCredit: GettyTheir father, Felix, used to man the turnstiles at Stamford BridgeCredit: RexHis parents made the journey from Accra in Ghana to the Basque Country when she was pregnant with his older brother — and now Athletic team-mate — Inaki.The family settled in Pamplona, with Nico born there in July 2002.Much of his childhood was spent with his dad away trying to earn money for the family.When work as a labourer, cleaner and even as a shepherd ran out, Felix went to London to look for a job — leaving three-year-old Nico at home with his mum and brother. In 2021, Inaki told me: “My dad worked in a shopping centre near Chelsea clearing tables in the food halls or as a security guard, and he got a job tearing tickets at Stamford Bridge.”READ MORE IN FOOTBALLFelix was away for a decade, so Nico, who turned 22 yesterday, grew up with big brother as his biggest influence and paternal guide.The Spain winger told Spanish radio Cope this week: “I’m young and make a lot of mistakes and Inaki is always on top of me giving me advice about football and life.”Inspired by Spain winning the World Cup in 2010 when he was only eight, Nico would try to emulate his heroes kicking a ball against a wall in the Rochapea neighbourhood.Playing out on the street together Nico soon showed signs of an even greater talent than his brother.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSWilliams has contributed to two goals at Euro 2024Credit: EPANico and Inaki with mum, MariaCredit: https://www.instagram.com/williaaaams11/?hl=enAlthough Inaki — who represents Ghana — recently revealed that on rainy days indoors on the PlayStation there was only one winner.He told Madrid-based sports website Relevo: “I had to unplug him he was so bad. He could barely hold the controls properly.”England fans gush ‘my manager’ as incredible footage emerges of Southgate going wild after reaching Euro 2024 final Nico has improved considerably since then and admitted to spending six hours a day on EA Sports’ FC 24 during the tournament.Local club Osasuna wanted to sign the young Nico but in 2012 Athletic Bilbao swooped for his sibling and a year later they took him too.It meant being at the same club as Inaki who guided him through the youth ranks all the way to the first team.Villarreal coach Marcelino, who gave Nico his debut at Bilbao in 2021, said: “Inaki is like a father to Nico because he had to go through all the same things before his brother. “Nico couldn’t have a better role model.”That guidance has also helped him deal with the scourge of racist abuse when it has come his way in Spain. Inaki was a father figure to Nico growing up while their dad was away working in LondonCredit: https://www.instagram.com/williaaaams11/?hl=enInaki ended up choosing to represent Ghana, where Felix and Maria where originally fromCredit: GettyHe was racially abused at Atletico Madrid’s Metropolitano Stadium last season but there is renewed hope the problem is now being tackled.Three people were sentenced to eight months in prison and given two-year stadium bans for racially abusing Vinicius Jr during Real Madrid’s game at Valencia in May 2023.It was the first time a conviction has been made for racist abuse at a football stadium in the whole of Spain.Nico said this week: “There will be a before and after. When they insult you and get away with it then it encourages more people to do it.“Now people have seen that the law will take it seriously and act on it.“In the end, you have to reason with people and make them get to know you. Maybe they don’t know the African culture. The family settled in Pamplona, with Nico born there in July 2002Credit: Instagram @williaaaams11Now newly-married Inaki is trying to cut his honeymoon short to watch Nico in the Euro 2024 finalCredit: Getty”I think we have to teach them, let them discover the world, and that will change many mentalities.” Williams’ performances for Spain have put the whole of Europe on alert for a player whose release clause is just £49m.He has told his agent he does not want  to hear a word about his future until the  tournament ends tomorrow.Williams is expected to stay one more season so he can fulfil a dream of representing Athletic in next season’s Europa League.It is going to be hard to wrench him away from the Basque region where his parents settled 22 years ago.They will be at the final against England. Brother Inaki, 30, will be there too.READ MORE SUN STORIESHe was married at the start of June and Nico was granted permission from his Spain coach Luis de la Fuente to leave Euro 2024 preparations to make the ceremony.Now it is Inaki requesting to cut short his honeymoon with wife Patricia to watch his brother play the biggest game of his life.Inside the baffling, brilliant story of Lamine Yamal – from being bathed by Messi to doing homework while taking Euros by stormLAMINE YAMAL has confirmed his status as football’s next superstar at Euro 2024 – but has only been playing 11-a-side games for four years, write Jack Rosser.Spain’s incredible 16-year-old bent home the goal of the tournament so far against France as La Roja sealed the spot in the final.But his first five years in Barcelona’s academy were spent playing seven-a-side football, up until the age of 12 in 2020 when he finally got a crack at 11-a-side games.Yamal’s story is baffling, brilliant and barely believable in equal measure.He is a boy born to a Moroccan father and a mother from Equatorial Guinea, who turns 17 tomorrow and was cradled by footballing royalty at just six months old.Staggering pictures of Yamal as a baby being held and bathed by Messi, taken for a Barcelona charity calendar 16 years ago, resurfaced this week.He did not restrict his brushes with greatness to Barcelona either, with footage of Yamal as an academy player walking as a mascot with Spain and Real Madrid icon Sergio Ramos at an El Clasico in 2016.There is a touch of fate about this gem, Spain’s “little MVP”, as team-mate Nico Williams has dubbed him.Yamal has been doing homework in his spare time and received exam results during the tournament. He passed, obviously.Now he’s the youngest ever goalscorer at the Euros, also becoming the youngest player to ever start a major semi-final – claiming that title from Pele.But it’s Yamal’s humble approach on and off the pitch that most impresses everyone he meets.And France star Adrien Rabiot probably felt quite embarrassed as he boarded his plane back home from Germany.He had tried to intimidate Yamal ahead of their semi-final clash – telling Yamal he “needs to do more.”Was this good enough, then? Yamal responded with a goal for the ages and a man of the match performance.A season which started with a pre-season game against Tottenham where Yamal excelled but was overshadowed by Oliver Skipp scoring a brace will end on the biggest stage European football has to offer on Sunday.From being outshone by Skipp to eclipsing Pele’s records is not a bad year’s work – just imagine what he will do when he grows up.Read all about the incredible rise of Lamine Yamal in full… More