There were controversial moments in tonight’s EURO 2024 semi-final related to Serie A, as Lamine Yamal replied to Juventus midfielder Adrien Rabiot, Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan launched into a sliding tackle and Rossoneri target Alvaro Morata was wiped out by security.
Spain emerged 2-1 winners on the night in Munich and will face either England or the Netherlands in Sunday’s EURO 2024 Final.
An eventful EURO 2024 semi-final
Randal Kolo-Muani had opened the scoring, cancelled out by a stunning left-foot curler into the top corner from Lamine Yamal.
Funnily enough, Juventus midfielder Rabiot had mocked Yamal in interviews before this game, warning the 16-year-old had to “do more” if he wanted to really make his mark in EURO 2024.
Having already responded with a message on Instagram, Yamal then did it on the field with that goal by shimmying past Rabiot and to cameras after the final whistle, shouting: “Speak now, speak now!”
LAMINE YAMAL 😮💨😮💨😮💨
An absolute screamer from the 16-year-old!#BBCEuros #Euro2024 #ESPFRA pic.twitter.com/z4AaZwwWJp
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) July 9, 2024
🤐 “Speak now, speak now!”
Lamine Yamal sends a clear message to Adrien Rabiot, after helping Spain to victory over France at #EURO2024.pic.twitter.com/aTiNNdNPzQ
— Football España (@footballespana_) July 9, 2024
During the match, Milan goalkeeper Maignan showed his extraordinary outfield abilities by rushing beyond his boundaries to launch into a sliding tackle on Nico Williams.
It was very risky, but paid off, though it could easily have been a red card if he’d mis-timed it even a tiny bit.
Mike Maignan! 🤯#BBCEuros #Euro2024 #ESPFRA pic.twitter.com/UMJYXFq88o
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) July 9, 2024
After the final whistle, the German organisers of this EURO 2024 tournament came in for more criticism, as there had already been a pitch invader who went to get a selfie with Kylian Mbappé.
We’ve seen pitch invasions repeatedly during the competition and there was another during the Spain post-match celebrations.
As the stewards rushed to grab him, one slipped and crashed into Morata, twisting his knee.
The striker, who is heavily linked with a move to Milan from Atletico Madrid this summer, was hobbling badly and visibly angry as he left the field.
Oh dear 😬
It appears a photographer slipped into Alvaro Morata and caught his knee in the post-match celebrations.#BBCEuros #Euro2024 #ESPFRA pic.twitter.com/6hTVEuM5uX
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) July 9, 2024
This can’t keep happening. It’s a disgrace, UEFA need to control it so much better. Somebody will get seriously hurt. 🤦♂️ #Euro2024 #Morata pic.twitter.com/Dp5KgEvq5h
— Ned Ozkasim (@nedoz9) July 9, 2024