Euro 2024

SPAIN wonderkid Lamine Yamal had the last laugh in his feud with France star Adrien Rabiot.The 16-year-old fired his country into the Euro 2024 final with a stunning goal in the 2-1 victory over Les Bleus.Lamine Yamal scored a stunner against FranceCredit: APAdrien Rabiot failed to close him down as he fired a brilliant shot beyond Mike MaignanCredit: AlamyYamal toyed with Rabiot after his comments about him in a press conferenceCredit: GettyThe wonderkid shouted at the camera ‘speak now’ as he celebrated reaching the finalYamal brilliantly cut in from the right as a bamboozled Rabiot, 29, failed to close down the Barcelona ace, allowing him to bend a brilliant effort from range into the top corner.It was the ultimate revenge on the French midfielder after he bizarrely started a war of words with the teenager during his pre-match press conference.Ahead of the game, Rabiot said: “It is always complicated to manage a semi-final in a tournament like this – but it will be up to us to put the pressure on him [Yamal] above all.”Not to let him feel comfortable and show him that to play in a Euro final he will have to do much more than what he has done so far.”READ MORE ON EURO 2024Yamal initially hit back with a cryptic post on social media, which read: “Move in silence only speak when it’s time to say checkmate.”And it’s fair to say he lived up to his words as Yamal did his talking on the pitch. His goal was sensational and he was a constant threat down the right-wing as France struggled to lay a glove on Spain.But Yamal was not finished putting his beef with Rabiot to bed and taunted him one last time.Most read in Euro 2024As Spain celebrated after the final whistle, the young star turned to the camera and shouted: “Speak now.”Yamal was then quizzed on his comments post-match, replying: “Well, the person that I am talking about, this person will know who this person is.Watch brilliant moment Spain stars Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams play rock, paper, scissors ‘to decide who gets bottle’ “I’m just really happy about reaching the final and really happy about my team.”Gary Lineker slammed Rabiot on the Rest is Football podcast, saying: It was wrong and poor.”Micah Richards labelled the Juventus player as “embarrassing” and said: “He shouldn’t even have been starting as Eduardo Camavinga should’ve started ahead of him. He is way better on the ball and has way more energy.”Yamal turns 17-years-old on the eve of the final – but he has already made Euros history as he became the youngest ever player to score at the tournament.It was a mix of experience and youth down Spain’s flank last night as 38-year-old Jesus Navas filled in at right-back.Yamal was just two-years-old when the veteran made his international debut in 2009.And his father is three years younger than Navas.Age has not stopped Yamal’s road through the iconic La Masia academy into the Barcelona first-team.READ MORE SUN STORIESBut it is preventing him fully relaxing away from the pitch in Germany as he has brought his homework to the tournament.Yamal revealed: “I have classes on the web and I’m doing well, I hope the teacher doesn’t fail me.”Yamal and Nico Williams have been stars of Euro 2024Credit: @nicolas_williams9 More

LAMINE YAMAL’s unique celebration has been explained with a heartwarming reason.The Spanish sensation netted a sublime striker in the semi-final to help his side reach the final of Euro 2024.Lamine Yamal’s reason behind his celebration has been revealedCredit: .He broke history at Euro 2024 against FranceCredit: EPAYamal, 16, cut inside from the left before firing his shot in off the post from 25 yards.The effort was taken just in front of rival Adrien Rabiot who had claimed that Yamal needed to “do more” before the game.The Barcelona star did not celebrate the goal with his regular ‘304’ celebration.Yamal usually celebrates goals by using his fingers to spell out the number ‘304’.READ MORE IN EURO 2024The reason behind it is heartwarming as it is the number of the postal code for Rocafonda, Spain.The area is a neighbourhood in Mataró, which is where Yamal grew up.It is said to be one of the most impoverished areas in Catalonia.It has previously been labelled as a “multicultural dung hill” by the far-right VOX party.Most read in Euro 2024CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSHowever, Yamal has repeatedly celebrated his hometown during his short career.The winger has done the celebration multiple times during the recent LaLiga season with Barcelona.Amazing footage shows Spain star Lamine Yamal holding hands with Sergio Ramos as mascot at iconic El ClasicoHis goal against France saw him become the youngest-ever goalscorer in Euros history.Yamal netted the goal at the tender age of just 16 years and 362 days.This beat the next scorer by a sizable amount as the next youngest was Johan Vonlanthen.The Swiss ace was 18 years and 141 days old when he scored at Euro 2004 against France.Fans spotted Yamal’s team-mate Pedri’s reaction to the goal as he was in disbelief. More

SPAIN star Lamine Yamal has been going viral after an old video surfaced of him meeting Real Madrid legend Sergio Ramos during an El Clasico in 2016.Yamal, 16, has taken Euro 2024 by storm as one of the main reasons behind the Furia Roja’s stunning campaign that has led them to the final.Lamine Yamal has gone viral after an old video reemerged of him and Sergio RamosCredit: X@TrujistaBarcelona star Yamal was Real Madrid legend Ramos’ mascot in 2016Credit: X@TrujistaAnd now Yamal stars for Barcelona as well as Spain in Euro 2024Credit: RexThe Barcelona star led Luis de la Fuente’s men to a 2-1 victory over France on Tuesday as he cancelled out Randal Kolo Muani’s opener on 21 minutes before Dani Olmo’s winner.The teenage sensation has come a long way since his days training at Barca’s famous La Masia academy.That allowed the winger to take part in the senior team’s games as a mascot when he was a child.One of those matches saw him linking up with Ramos eight years ago during the El Clasico at the Nou Camp.Read More on FootballYamal saw his beloved Barcelona lose 2-1 after Karim Benzema’s wondergoal cancelled out Gerard Pique’s opener before Cristiano Ronaldo sealed the three points for Los Blancos.However, Ramos also had a night to forget as he was sent off with two yellow cards during the intense derby.Fans went into total meltdown as a video emerged showing Yamal and the Spain great in the tunnel before kick-off.One supporter tweeted: “Imagine that, none of these guys knew he was going to be playing against them like five years later.”Most read in Euro 2024BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSAnother posted: “Cannot make this s**t up.”And that one wrote: “He’s now better at 16 than 70 per cent of the players in that video. Crazy.”Lamine Yamal explains cheeky message he did in Spain v France Euro 2024 match Funnily enough the two went on to meet on the pitch for the first time last September during a league match between Barcelona and Sevilla.And in another strange twist of fate, Ramos, who had returned to the Andalusian outfit, scored an own goal because of Yamal.The Spain star delivered a pass that the legendary defender accidentally drove to the back of his own net and caused his team a 1-0 loss.Yamal will now be looking to emulate Ramos by winning his first ever European championship.The Real legend, though, won the competition twice in a row in 2008 and 2012 with the Spanish national team.Yamal is now waiting to find out his team’s final opponent, which will be either England or the Netherlands after tonight’s semi-final. More

DIDIER DESCHAMPS snapped at a journalist after his future was called into question following France’s Euro 2024 semi-final defeat.The 2018 World Cup winners were beaten by Spain 2-1 in the last four. Didier Deschamps snapped at a journalist after his future was called into questionCredit: GettyAnd in the immediate aftermath, manager Deschamps was pressed on his future in charge of Les Bleus. But he snapped back: “Ask my president. I’ve just lost a semi-final. Do you think I’m already going to answer? “I respect you, but try to respect the people who have responsibilities too.“I’m telling you this calmly. What happened happened. I’m here to answer your questions, but I’m not going to answer this one today. READ MORE ON EURO 2024″You know very well the situation and what my president thinks. So you shouldn’t even have asked the question.”Deschamps won the World Cup and European Championship as a France international. And he took over as boss of the national side in 2012 and led them to World Cup glory in 2018 with a final loss to Argentina four years later. But his football at Euro 2024 was criticised with members of the press labelling it “DULL”. Most read in Euro 2024Who is Euro 2024’s sexiest star?EURO 2024 has something for everyone from stunning goals, thrilling matches… and the continent’s biggest hunks, writes Jack Figg.Several stars have lit up the group stages with their skills on the pitch – but others are also catching the eye for their looks.But who is the sexiest?Thankfully AI boffins have carried out an analysis on the facial attractiveness of all players at the tournament.And it’s bad news for Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions who are the fourth UGLIEST in the competition – one place below Scotland.In fact it’s England’s group rivals Serbia who have fans swooning the most – boasting an average score of 77.90/100 with defender Strahinja Pavlovic deemed their most attractive.While Turkey defender Mert Muldur has been ranked as the tournament’s BEST-LOOKING player.But who is England’s sexiest star, and who makes the Euros’ hunkiest XI? Read our full story.CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSDeschamps responded: “If you’re getting bored, watch another game. You don’t have to watch – it’s fine. “It’s a special Euros. It’s very difficult for everyone, with fewer goals. Lamine Yamal explains cheeky message he did in Spain v France Euro 2024 match “It hasn’t been the same as in the past, but we share the desire to make French men and women happy through the results we have been getting, especially in a period that has been hard for our country.” France scored just four goals throughout the tournament, with star man Kylian Mbappe getting just one from the spot against Poland. The incoming Real Madrid forward suffered a nose injury during his opening game – which affected his tournament. Deschamps admitted: “I will not say my players didn’t give their all, but we didn’t play as well as we could for various reason. “Kylian didn’t perform as well as he usually does. I’m not making excuses. “We tried to do our best with what we had and tried to be as efficient as possible.”Deschamps in 2023 extended his contract until 2026 with his eyes on the World Cup in North America. More

DIDIER DESCHAMPS made a dig at Kylian Mbappe after France were knocked out of Euro 2024.The French were outclassed in their semi-final defeat to Spain at the Allianz Arena last night.Didier Deschamps hit out at his players after France’s Euro exitCredit: GettyKylian Mbappe was not at his best during the tournamentCredit: GettyMbappe, 25, set up the opening goal for Randal Kolo Muani to give France the lead.But Spain hit back with two goals in four minutes, including a sublime equaliser from wonderkid Lamine Yamal.France were unable to find an equaliser to force added time as they crashed out of the tournament.Boss Deschamps was less than impressed with his team’s performance as he dug out Mbappe for not performing to his usual standards.READ MORE ON EURO 2024He said: “I will not say my players didn’t give their all, but we didn’t play as well as we could for various reasons”Kylian didn’t perform as well as he usually does.”I’m not making excuses.”We tried to do our best with what we had and tried to be as efficient as possible.”Most read in Euro 2024CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSDeschamps also responded to questions over his future as he insisted that it was not the best time to speak about it.He said: “I’ve just lost a semi-final, so don’t ask me that question.Lamine Yamal explains cheeky message he did in Spain v France Euro 2024 match Kylian Mbappe ‘snaps up £15m mansion in Beckham’s old neighbourhood’ next door to Real Madrid legend and Hollywood starBy Gerard CouzensKYLIAN MBAPPE has reportedly splashed out more than £15million on a mansion in Madrid.The French superstar, whose drawn-out transfer to Real Madrid has finally being confirmed, is said to have finalised the purchase late last month.Respected Spanish daily La Razon says the house he has bought is in the exclusive Madrid suburb of La Moraleja, where David Beckham spent most of his time living when he was in the Spanish capital.And it says his neighbours will include former Real Madrid legend Sergio Ramos and his stunning model wife Pilar Rubio as well as Hollywood star Richard Gere and his Spanish publicist wife Alejandra Silva.La Razon said Mbappe had considered the gated estate of La Finca where Jude Bellingham lives and Cristiano Ronaldo still owns property as an option.But it reported the 25-year-old, who threw an extravagant party for 250 guests at a stylish Italian restaurant a short walk from the Eiffel Tower, ended up opting for La Moraleja a 15-minute drive from Real Madrid’s Valdebebas training complex because it was “more comfortable.”Read more on Mbappe’s property hunt.”Ask the president of the FA. I won’t answer the question.”Maybe you shouldn’t have even asked it.”Meanwhile, Mbappe has also shared his thoughts on his performance during the tournament.The forward only managed one goal in his five appearances.He said: “In football you’re good or not good. I wasn’t good.””My Euro was a failure”.READ MORE SUN STORIES”I wanted to be European champion. I will now go on holiday, I will rest well, it will do me a lot of good.”Then I will get ready to start a new life. There’s a lot to do.”Inside Jordan Pickford’s penalty saving technique as he bids to be England’s Euros heroJORDAN PICKFORD has regularly been the hero when it comes to a penalty shootout for his country, writes Jon Boon.The England and Everton goalkeeper, 30, saved Manuel Akanji’s effort for Switzerland to hand the Three Lions an advantage in their shootout win in their Euro 2024 quarter-final.Now, with the help of Goalkeeper.com, we’ve uncovered Pickford’s penalty-saving technique.USES HISTORIC TRENDSPickford is well prepared when it comes to facing the ball from 12-yards.His water bottle trick has become infamous with the list of penalty takers and direction of shot taped on to it.But you cannot always listen blindly to most probable placements, and a goalkeeper’s intuition should also play a role.That human element remains important.UTILISES A MIXED STRATEGYBeing a goalkeeper is often called the ‘loneliest job’ in the world.And when it comes to penalties, your team-mates are solely reliant upon your strategy to save one.Often, we’ve seen goalies who prefer to favour one side – and continuously dive one way.However, Pickford adopts a mixed strategy.Sometimes, he will dive to the power side – saving from Jorginho in the Euro 2020 final.His save from Akanji in the Swiss shootout was made on the placement side.TECHNICAL EXECUTION OF DIVEGoalkeepers are hindered during penalty shootouts – with the Fifa rulebook meaning they have to stay on the line until the shot is taken.That means the lift off of your dive has to be executed a certain way.Pickford launches himself from his back foot behind the line, pushes his body weight forwards, makes no large negative step and keeps both hands active to make the save.This was put into effect when he made saves from Italy’s Andrea Belotti in 2020 and Colombia’s Carlos Bacca at the 2018 World Cup.France’s Mike Maignan, by comparison, takes a large negative step, and struggles to reach his posts.CLUB VS COUNTRY METRICSInterestingly, Pickford is better at saving penalties in shootouts for England than in his overall career average, and better at saving in shootouts vs in game.Clearly, Pickford performs better in an England shirt and when there is bigger pressure.Read our full analysis of Jordan Pickford’s penalty-saving techniques… More

NACHO went viral for the last reason he’d want after helping Spain reach the Euro 2024 final.Even the former Real Madrid hardman himself might be abashed when he sees images of his clash with France’s Randal Kolo Muani.Nacho’s forceful action on Randal Kolo Muani shocked many viewersCredit: APAt this stage Kolo Muani looked unaware of what was to comeCredit: EPANacho, 34, was caught on camera thrusting the head of the floored striker into the ground.One fan labelled a photo of the chilling incident as the “Dirtiest football pic ever seen”.Nacho, who joined Saudi side Al Qadsiah FC last month, had a fierce look on his face.One hand was on Kolo Muani’s head as the PSG star closed his eyes.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAnd Nacho’s other hand was raised as he prepared to shove the 25-year-old’s head down.”Outrageous,” said one fan, while another called it “so wrong”.Nacho had only been called in to the Spanish side to replace the suspended Robin Le Normand.And the early exchange – for which he escaped unpunished – suggested he was keen to show he was still as intimidating a physical presence as ever.Most read in Euro 2024EURO 2024 LIVE: KEEP UP TO DATE WITH ALL THE LATEST NEWS FROM GERMANYHowever, Kolo Muani could not have dreamt of a better response.He pounced to put France in front just a minute or so later.Watch Ivan Toney score unbelievable volley in England training in ultimate route one goal before Netherlands clashUnfortunately for him, Lamine Yamal scorched a remarkable equaliser to become, at 16, the youngest scorer at any Euros.Dani Olmo then flashed Spain’s deflected winner on 25 minutes.But for Nacho, his team’s crazy rejoicing at the end might be followed by some cringing reflection of his own on his most shocking moment. More