SPAIN LUCKY TO GET 'GENIUS' YAMAL

De la Fuente wants to protect prodigy after record-breaking feat in s-final win over France

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Spain coach Luis de la Fuente said seeing 16-year-old winger Lamine Yamal's performance against France in their 2-1 Euro 2024 semi-final triumph on July 9 was like watching "a genius".

Yamal scored a brilliant goal to cancel out Randal Kolo Muani's opener for Les Bleus, with Dani Olmo then netting what proved to be the winner for La Roja.

Named Player of the Match, Yamal became the youngest player to score at a European Championship or World Cup, breaking Pele's record by eight months.

"We have seen a genius, the product of a genius. He's a player we have to take care of - I have to advise him to keep working with the same humility and keep his feet on the floor," de la Fuente said.

"He would keep growing but this maturity and attitude at such a young age is like that of a more experienced player. We are lucky he is Spanish and we can enjoy him for many more years."

Midfielder Rodri added: "I'm very proud of Lamine, people will talk about the goal, the stellar display of this 16-year-old kid, the future awaiting him is huge. But I congratulated him for his defensive commitment, such a complete game, constantly helping out."