Spain have been the most exciting team to watch at Euro 2024, but they face a tough challenge in the semi-final against France on Wednesday.
The French will be wary of the attacking trio that has propelled Spain to this stage of the tournament.
How old is Lamine Yamal?
16 years
The Criticism of Spain’s Tiki-Taka Era
Even during Spain’s dominance in international men’s football from 2008 to 2012, they faced criticism for playing boring football. Their tiki-taka style, rooted in possession and slow build-up, was highly effective but not always entertaining.
Their success in three consecutive international tournaments—winning one World Cup and two European Championships—began to wane as the key players aged and their replacements couldn’t match their level. The trophies stopped coming in.
A shocking exit to Morocco in the 2022 World Cup highlighted the need for change. Despite completing 926 passes and holding 77% possession, Spain managed only one shot on target in 120 minutes. Under Luis De la Fuente, things have improved significantly.
The Impact of the Young Trio: Yamal, Williams, and Olmo
Spain now boasts three of the most talented players at Euro 2024: Lamine Yamal, Nico Williams, and Dani Olmo. However, their progress isn’t solely due to this attacking trio. Players like Fabián Ruiz, Rodri, and Marc Cucurella (yes, Chelsea fans, that Marc Cucurella) are also in great form.
Olmo has been a key player in past tournaments, but Williams and Yamal bring a new dynamic. Williams, who played a limited role in the 2022 World Cup, is now fully integrated into the team’s tactics. His speed and Yamal’s skills are now crucial elements of Spain’s strategy.
Williams entered the European Championship this summer riding a wave of good form with La Liga’s Athletic Club during the 2023-24 season.
In the previous season, no player in the Spanish top flight assisted more goals following a ball carry than Williams, who had seven such assists. His expected assists (xA) per 90 minutes average of 0.30 was the third-best among players with at least 1,500 minutes played, trailing only Álex Baena (0.33) and Iago Aspas (0.31).
At Euro 2024, Williams has maintained impressive form, averaging the highest expected assists per 90 minutes (0.48) among players with at least 250 minutes played. Over the last three European Championships, only one player has averaged higher—Spain’s David Silva at Euro 2016 (0.61).
More Spanish players follow him on this list: of all players who have logged at least 250 minutes at Euro 2024, his teammates Yamal (0.41) and Olmo (0.40) are next in line.
Yamal’s chance creation has been pivotal in Spain’s journey to the semi-finals, with the Barcelona prodigy generating more chances (14) than any other player in De la Fuente’s squad and ranking fourth overall in the tournament.
His third assist—a brilliant pass for Olmo’s opening goal against Germany in the quarter-finals—made him the first teenager to record three assists in a single European Championship or World Cup (since 1966). He currently shares the top spot in the Euro 2024 assist charts with Dutchman Xavi Simons, despite having played 39 minutes less.
And let’s not forget, Yamal is just 16 years old.
As the youngest player and goalscorer in Spanish national team history, Yamal also became the youngest player to appear in a European Championship with his debut in Spain’s opening match against Croatia (at 16 years and 338 days old).
A goal at this tournament would make him the youngest scorer in Euros history, surpassing Johan Vonlanthen’s record by nearly two years. Though he has had 13 attempts so far, only Cristiano Ronaldo (with 23 shots) has had more attempts without scoring at these finals.
Yamal’s performances at Euro 2024 are remarkable for his age, and he has the potential to break even more European Championship records in the future.
Operating primarily on the right wing but favoring his left foot, Yamal’s ability to deliver dangerous inswinging crosses has been evident in his assists—such as the one for Dani Carvajal against Croatia and the cross for Fabián Ruiz’s header in the last-16 win over Georgia.
Both crosses were nearly identical and virtually impossible to defend. Unlike Williams, who often reaches the byline, Yamal prefers to cut back inside and deliver a cross with his left foot.
Crossing isn’t the only way Yamal threatens opponents. His dribbling prowess is also a significant asset, as he has averaged 9.1 take-ons per 90 minutes at this tournament—only Jérémy Doku (10.9) and France’s Ousmane Dembélé (9.2) have a higher average among players with at least 250 minutes on the pitch.
Yamal also leads the tournament in shot involvements resulting from a ball carry. With five shots and six chances created after a run of at least 5 meters, his total of 11 shot involvements is the highest of any player in the competition.
Unlike Williams and Yamal, Olmo brings a wealth of tournament experience for Spain. With five appearances at Euro 2020 and four more at the 2022 World Cup, Olmo has been part of some of Spain’s recent tournament disappointments.
The Challenge Ahead: Spain vs. France in the Semi-Finals
Although Dani Olmo has started only one of Spain’s five matches at Euro 2024 so far, he is expected to feature from the start against France. He made a notable impact from the bench in Spain’s quarter-final victory over Germany, coming on for the injured Pedri and contributing significantly.
The RB Leipzig midfielder has bolstered the Spanish side in all of his substitute appearances during this tournament, scoring against Georgia in the last 16 and adding a goal and an assist in the quarter-final on Friday.
As a direct and dynamic player, Olmo provides a central ball-carrying option for Spain, complementing the wing play of Williams and Yamal.
At Euro 2024, Olmo has been carrying the ball upfield an average of 146.1 meters per 90 minutes, the fifth highest among all attacking midfielders and forwards with at least 250 minutes played. Yamal ranks first in this category (178.6m), while Williams is eighth (130.0m).
Olmo also ranks in the top 10 for take-ons per 90 minutes (6.1), with a take-on success rate of 66.7%, the highest at the tournament among the 25 players who have attempted at least 15 take-ons.
It’s easy to overlook that Olmo, Williams, and Yamal have the opportunity to supply one of the all-time leading goal scorers in European Championship history. Spanish captain Álvaro Morata has scored 7 goals at the Euros, trailing only Ronaldo (14) and French legend Michel Platini (9). As this is likely to be Morata’s final European Championship, he will be aiming to close in on or even match Platini’s record. Morata currently holds 36 international goals for Spain, placing him fourth in the all-time men’s national team rankings, behind David Villa (59), Raúl (44), and Fernando Torres (38).
On paper, France’s squad is arguably the strongest at Euro 2024. Their defense has been breached just once throughout the tournament—a Robert Lewandowski penalty in a dead-rubber group match—while they have failed to score from any of their 86 non-penalty shots.
With France giving opponents the lowest quality chances to score at Euro 2024—boasting a 0.69 non-penalty xG against per 90 minutes, the best rate of the tournament—this match will be a significant test for Spain’s dynamic attacking trio. However, it is a challenge they should feel confident about overcoming.
