Spain star Yamal still maturing after rollercoaster night
Lamine Yamal scored a brilliant goal but also missed a penalty on another night of growth for Barcelona's teenage star as Spain reached the Nations League semi-finals.
The 17-year-old thrilled during the 3-3 draw against the Netherlands on Sunday at a sold-out Mestalla stadium in Valencia, even if he ended up with a bittersweet feeling as Bart Verbruggen denied him in the shoot-out.
Spain progressed 5-4 on penalties after a wildly entertaining 5-5 aggregate tie, another stepping stone on his journey to the top of the game.
A key player for Barcelona and already having won Euro 2024 with his country, a day after turning 17 last July, Yamal's incursions on the right flank draw spectators to their feet and comparisons to Argentina great Lionel Messi.
The loudest roar as the home team was read out by the Mestalla stadium announcer was reserved for his name, and "Yamal" was printed on the back of more than a fair share of the Spain shirts flooding through the gates.
The highlight of the night for many was Yamal's stunning extra-time strike, controlling Dean Huijsen's lofted pass with a deft flick, turning to eke out a yard of space and bending the ball past Verbruggen in the Netherlands goal.
It was the perfect riposte to criticism that appeared after a relatively quiet night in the 2-2 quarter-final first leg draw in Rotterdam last week.
"I see things that are starting to bother me a little... shorts a little lower, not making much of an effort," said former Netherlands international Rafael van der Vaart.
Yamal responded on the pitch, and then off it with a post on Instagram following the game.
"Shorts down, a goal, a missed penalty and into the semi-finals, come on Spain!" wrote Yamal on the social media platform, including a photo of Van der Vaart's face.
Yamal is not shy of firing back at his critics, as he showed with a jab at Adrien Rabiot during the Euros, after helping eliminate France by scoring a wondergoal.
Spain will face France again in the Nations League semi-finals as they bid to defend the title they won for the first time in 2023.
- 'What a disaster' -
Yamal's Barcelona team-mate Pedri said the teenager would bounce back from his penalty miss, a surprisingly tame effort kept out by Verbruggen.
"I told him it was a terrible penalty," laughed Pedri, who netted Spain's winner from the spot after Donyell Malen missed for Netherlands.
"But no, you learn from these situations, he doesn't let the pressure affect him and you have to take a penalty to be able to miss it.
"How calm he is has always surprised us, it's like pressure doesn't exist for him when you see the way he dribbles so easily, and the way he plays.
"We have to take care of him and most of all, enjoy having him."
Yamal has four goals in 19 Spain appearances, but plays with the self-assurance of a superstar at their peak.
Defender Marc Cucurella also joked about Yamal's penalty miss -- with Spain players' willingness to laugh about it showing they believe the winger can take the jibes on the chin.
"I saw him go up to take it with confidence and I thought, he'll score here for sure," said the left-back.
"Then I saw how he hit it and I said 'What a disaster!'"
Penalties aside, Yamal, and Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams on the opposite flank, help make Spain a hugely exciting side to watch.
"We always want to attack, and attack a lot," said Spain coach Luis de la Fuente.
"That's why the fans have enjoyed this so much, the game was out of control in some moments, it's a spectacle to see."
The coach, who previously said Yamal had been 'touched by a magic wand', acknowledged the youngster is still growing.
"Lamine is disappointed (with the penalty) but he's happy," added De la Fuente.
"He gave us what we needed from him but he's still growing and maturing."
rbs/bsp
Topics
-
Yamal hits back at Van der Vaart after Spain win
Lamine Yamal has quipped back at Rafael van der Vaart's "pants down" jibe after helping Spain beat Netherlands in Sunday's UEFA Nations League quarterfinal.ESPN - 14h -
Spanish star Yamal's Ramadan fasting 'completely normal' for coach
Spain coach Luis de la Fuente said Wednesday he had no problems with star forward Lamine Yamal observing Ramadan as his side prepared for their Nations League quarter-final clash with the ...Yahoo Sports - 6d -
Barcelona teenager Lamine Yamal dominates Benfica with goal and assist in Champions League win
He's only 17, but Lamine Yamal is fast becoming one of the best players, of any age, in the worldCBS Sports - Mar. 11 -
Yamal hits back at ex-Netherlands player Van der Vaart after Spain's Nations League win
Lamine Yamal has made it clear he wasn't happy with criticism from former Netherlands player Rafael van der Vaart. Yamal helped Spain get past the Dutch in the quarterfinals of the Nations League ...Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Barcelona star admits goal vs Atlético was ‘most important of my club career’
Barcelona star Lamine Yamal has revealed his take that his timely strike against Atlético Madrid on Sunday night marked the most significant of his club career to date.Wide-man Lamine was of course ...Yahoo Sports - Mar. 17 -
FC Barcelona star Lamine Yamal scores late winning goal in insane comeback at Atletico Madrid
Hansi Flick's team scored four times after the 70th minute to overcome a 2-0 deficitCBS Sports - Mar. 16 -
Spain oust Netherlands on penalties to reach Nations League semis
Nations League holders Spain reached the final four with a 5-4 win on penalties against the Netherlands, after a thrilling 3-3 quarter-final second leg draw on Sunday had left the tie 5-5 on ...Yahoo Sports - 2d -
Arsenal star scores again for Spain plus Timber’s absence explained
Arsenal’s Mikel Merino scored for Spain against the Netherlands on Thursday night, with Jurrien Timber missing the quarter-final first leg match through illness.Photo by Alex Bierens de Haan/Getty ...Yahoo Sports - 4d -
Barcelona star shields Lamine Yamal from Lionel Messi comparisons
Barcelona star Frenkie de Jong has this week moved to reject the ongoing comparisons between teammate Lamine Yamal, and Blaugrana legend Lionel Messi.Wide-man Lamine has for his part of course ...Yahoo Sports - 6d
More from Yahoo Sports
-
Will Wade promises NCAA Tournament appearance in Year 1 in NC State introduction: 'This is not a rebuild'
The new NC State head coach wasn't short on confidence.Yahoo Sports - 9m -
Dak Prescott's shortcomings are impacting the club's coaching decisions, approach
Dak Prescott's mobility issues and injury concerns play a part in the Dallas Cowboys offensive design and philosophy under Brian SchottenheimerYahoo Sports - 13m -
World Athletics approves swab test to determine female gender
World Athletics said on Tuesday it had approved the introduction of a cheek swab test to determine if an athlete is biologically female.World Athletics is looking at cheek swab tests but is also ...Yahoo Sports - 19m -
LA Kings’ Kuemper Latest to Test NHL’s Stance on Goalie Fights
Unlike the other major North American sports leagues (MLB, NBA, and the NFL), the NHL has codified fighting into its game. Five-minute majors for fighting and two-minute minors for instigating are ...Yahoo Sports - 20m -
Notre Dame 2026 four-star DE target Rodney Dunham sets decision date
The Charlotte, N.C., prospect took an unofficial visit to ND this past weekend and will announce his decision April 10Yahoo Sports - 20m
More in Sports
-
Answering seven big questions on Russell Wilson to the Giants: What's the QB plan?
The Giants' search for a veteran QB in free agency ended with both Wilson and Jameis Winston.ESPN - 7m -
Will Wade promises NCAA Tournament appearance in Year 1 in NC State introduction: 'This is not a rebuild'
The new NC State head coach wasn't short on confidence.Yahoo Sports - 9m -
Butler is back in Miami: Follow live as the Warriors visit the Heat
The Golden State Warriors take on the Miami Heat with Jimmy Butler returning to face the team that traded him in January.ESPN - 9m -
Follow live: Rivals Brazil, Argentina meet in World Cup qualifier
nullESPN - 12m -
Transfer rumors, news: Bayern eye Gyökeres to replace Tel
Bayern Munich's striker search could hinge on the permanent departure of Mathys Tel to Tottenham. Transfer Talk has the latest news, gossip and rumors.ESPN - 13m