Record-breaker Yamal! The youngest goalscorers in European Championship history | OneFootball

Lamine Yamal continues to send records tumbling and the Spain teenager etched his name into European Championship history this week.

The teenager’s stunning strike in Spain’s semi-final win against France saw him obliterate the record as the youngest footballer to score in a European Championship.

It was a special moment from a special talent, who at just 16 years old is deciding games on the biggest of stages.

Following Yamal’s record-breaking moment, we’ve remembered the youngest goalscorers in European Championship history.

Dragan Stojkovic – 19 days, 108 days old (Yugoslavia)

Euro 1984 is widely remembered for the near-perfect performances of France superstar Michel Platini. The midfielder scored nine goals in five games as France won a maiden international title, including a group-stage hat-trick against Yugoslavia.

France’s 3-2 win also saw history made in the opposition, however, as an emerging Dragan Stojkovic became the European Championship’s youngest goalscorer at that time. The 19-year-old midfielder converted a late consolation from the penalty spot.

Renato Sanches – 18 years, 317 days old (Portugal)

Renato Sanches was named the Young Player of the Tournament at Euro 2016 after helping Portugal win their first international trophy.

The 18-year-old was a crucial part of Portugal’s success in the tournament and scored his first international goal in the quarter-final win against Poland. Sanches’ strike forced extra-time in the contest with Portugal prevailing on penalties.

He also netted in the shootout, before Portugal beat Wales and France to be crowned European champions. Sanches moved to Bayern Munich in a €35m deal that summer but his career has failed to hit the heights first expected. His club future is uncertain at present, after an underwhelming loan spell at AS Roma in 2023-24.

Wayne Rooney – 18 years, 237 days old (England)

Wayne Rooney announced his arrival on the world stage with a stunning tournament for England at Euro 2024.

The hype around the Everton teenager was justified as Rooney scored four goals during England’s run to the quarter-finals. The first goal of a brace against Switzerland saw Rooney become the European Championship’s youngest-ever goalscorer before he netted another double to down Croatia in England’s final group game.

Rooney, however, suffered a broken metatarsal in the quarter-final defeat to Portugal as England exited the competition on penalties.

Wayne Rooney at Euro 2004: A precocious phenomenon

Johan Vonlanthen – 18 years, 141 days old (Switzerland)

Rooney’s record lasted just four days as Switzerland teenager Johan Vonlanthen stole the title as the European Championship’s youngest scorer.

The 18-year-old found the net in Switzerland’s 3-1 defeat to France in their final group game, cancelling out Zinedine Zidane’s opener for Les Bleus. Switzerland were unable to build on that moment as Thierry Henry’s brace sealed three points for the French, while it was a similar story for Vonlanthen’s international career. He earned 40 caps for the national team but added just six further goals.

Lamine Yamal – 16 years, 362 days old (Spain)

Lamine Yamal is the new record holder and what a way to take the title.

The Spanish teenager has broken multiple records since his precocious emergence at Barcelona, before becoming Spain’s youngest debutant and goalscorer in September 2023. At Euro 2024, Yamal has been one of the most watchable players in the tournament, providing three assists before his spectacular strike against France.

Spain had fallen behind to Randal Kolo Muani’s header in their semi-final tie before Yamal shifted the ball onto his left foot and curled an effort into the top corner from distance. It was an incredible moment from a player whose record looks unlikely to be beaten, having smashed Volanthen’s 20-year record by almost 18 months.

For context, Spain teammate Jesus Navas is six years older than Yamal’s father, reportedly born in 1992!

Read – Euro 2008 – Xavi and Spain’s pass masters finally end decades of underachievement

See more – Euro 2000 – Zidane’s zenith as France reign supreme

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