It is often said that international tournaments are not about playing the prettiest football, but the most effective, about finding a way to get over the line.
When France – a team that had only scored via a penalty and two own goals as they somehow ground their way through Euro 2024 – took an eighth-minute lead in Tuesday s first semi-final versus Spain, it looked like those old adages might stand.
La Roja, and their wonderkid Lamine Yamal, had other ideas.
The 16-year-old Barcelona winger curled home a magnificent 25-yard strike to become the youngest ever scorer at a World Cup or Euros, before Dani Olmo s fine touch and finish completed the turnaround by the 25th minute.
Spain had to show another side to their game in the second half as they dug in…