Lamine Yamal Breaks Euro Youngest Player Record as Spain Secure a Spot in the Last 16.

Lamine Yamal made his 8th and 9th appearances for Spain with his starts against Croatia and Italy making him the youngest player in Euro history, as a strong start from Spain has seen them take 6 points from two highly ranked sides.

At 16 years and 338 days, he not only holds this record, but he is also Spain’s youngest goalscorer, netting on his debut against Georgia in Spain’s qualifying campaign, aged 16 years and 57 days at the time.

In a strong start to their Euro 2024 campaign, Yamal assisted Spain’s third goal as a comfortable 3-0 win over Croatia proved Spain a tough opponent in this year's competition. 

The pin-point cross from the 16-year-old was turned home by Dani Carvajal in first-half injury time, putting Spain 3 goals in the clear before the break, and making the Real Madrid defender the oldest Spanish player to score at the Euros (aged 32 years and 156 days). 

Yamal was also involved in the build-up to Spain’s second goal. After his driving run into the box in which his initial pass to set up Williams was blocked he picked out Pedri who then went on to assist Ruiz’s effort. 

Despite his youth, with it even being reported that the winger has taken his homework to Germany with him, he has made his attacking influence within the side clear from the outset.

He continues this from his impressive season in La Liga, where he made 37 appearances for Barcelona, scoring 5 goals and getting 8 assists.

This comfortable win against a team that have before proven themselves on the international stage left Spain at the top of Group B at the end of matchday 1, ahead of their next opponents on goal difference. 

A strong show against the current European Champions furthered the statement of Spain’s threat, after a deserving 1-0 win over Italy on matchday 2.

An own goal after Nico Williams’ cross was turned into the Italian net securing Spain a place in the last 16, without yet conceding a goal in Group B. 

The threat of the Spanish attack became clear after Luis de la Fuente’s side netted three in the first 45 minutes of their Euro Campaign, but to prevent two teams that sit in the top 10 of the current Fifa World Rankings from scoring is a testament to the strength of the Spanish defence. 

Carvajal, Le Normand, Laporte, Cucurella, and Nacho have all lined up in the Spanish back four so far this campaign, and with an average age of 29, the experience within the defensive line is clear. 

Looking ahead to matchday 3, Spain have the opportunity to head into the knockout stages with all 9 points and a potential 3 clean sheets.

They will have to take on Albania to achieve this, but with a place in the last 16 already confirmed, squad rest and rotation may be on the cards.