Spain and Barcelona star Lamine Yamal confirmed his place on the world stage with a wonder goal against France in the Euro 2024 semi-finals. He also displayed a feisty side to his character, ensuring that French midfielder Adrien Rabiot was aware of the goal too.

Before the match, Rabiot had commented that Lamine Yamal needed to 'do more than he had so far' to reach the final. Shortly after, Lamine Yamal posted an Instagram story effectively telling the Juventus player to remain quiet.

Following the match, Lamine Yamal was seen shouting 'speak, speak now' into the camera, with few doubting that it was directed at Rabiot. The 16-year-old all but confirmed this.

"My celebration? It was for the person who knows it is for him. I am very happy for the victory and for helping the team reach the final. In the end, we should not give importance to any of that. I have helped the team."

Many of the questions directed at him were about the goal, but Lamine Yamal was keen to emphasise that it was about the team and pointed to the reaction after going behind.

"We knew it wasn’t going to be easy, but the best thing is that we knew how to react after France’s goal," he told Marca.

"The play and the goal were special, but for what they meant for the team’s victory. It is my first in the European Championship, but I hope it is not the last."

Against France, it was the first time that Spain had gone behind in a tournament under Luis de la Fuente, but Lamine Yamal’s goal changed the tide as Spain came back against Les Bleus. La Roja now await the Netherlands or England in the final, and neither side will be particularly looking forward to facing them.