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Lamine Yamal recently responded to criticism from former Dutch international Rafael van der Vaart with a cheeky goal celebration during Spain’s UEFA Nations League quarter-final match against Netherlands. After scoring in extra time during this fiercely contested match, Yamal pulled down his shorts slightly, a clear nod to Van der Vaart's earlier remarks about the young player's attire and demeanor. Van der Vaart had previously commented on Yamal's on-field appearance and attitude. He said, “I noticed some things about Lamine Yamal that started to annoy me. His shorts were too low, he didn’t try too hard, he had some superficial gestures..I didn’t like this.”
Yamal responded to this with a cheeky goal celebration and even put out a post on his instagram story, taking a dig at Van der Vaart’s comments. He captioned his post, "Pants down, a goal, missed penalty and in the semi-finals" after Spain’s victory against Netherlands. With his goal, Yamal broke another record, as he became the youngest player to score in the UEFA nations league.
Yamal scores a banger as Unai Simon’s heroics ensure Spain’s victory
Spain defeated the Netherlands in a dramatic UEFA Nations League quarter-final, advancing 5-4 on penalties after a 5-5 aggregate draw. The match saw end-to-end action, with both teams showcasing attacking brilliance. Lamine Yamal stole the spotlight with a sensational extra-time goal. The 16-year-old Barcelona star scored a screamer from outside the box, after receiving a long pass from another Spanish youngster Dean Huijsen.
Despite missing his penalty in the shootout, Yamal’s creativity and composure throughout the match was key in Spain’s success. His dazzling dribbling and vision kept the Dutch defense on edge. Ultimately, Spanish goalkeeper Unai Simon’s heroics during the match and in the intense penalty shoot-out, secured Spain’s place in the semi-finals. Yamal’s performance, goal, and bold celebration demonstrated his rising star power, silencing critics and adding a touch of flair to Spain’s hard-fought victory.
