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Germany is already out, but Spain has seen the emergence of a prodigy in this tournament: Lamine Yamal. A few days ago, when I watched Spain play against Germany, I was absolutely astonished. His speed is incredible, and his ball control is extremely refined. Especially his crosses—they are truly penetrating. In that match, he made a pass that cut through four defenders. What does that mean? Only peak Xavi could achieve something like that! His cut-ins with his weaker foot to curl the ball to the far post are simply a bug in the system. Several times, when Spain forced corners from Germany’s defense, they used Yamal for tactical plays. When attacking on the flanks, it was clear that Yamal was the focal point. With many tactical systems revolving around Yamal, the options are broad and the flexibility is high, showcasing his characteristics to the fullest.
On the other hand, looking at Germany, midfielders like Kroos and Gündoğan are more skilled at passing rather than physical confrontation. In this match, Kroos not only lost the game but also hurt Pedri, forcing him to withdraw from the European Championship. Although Germany’s tactics made Spain very passive at the beginning, Spain quickly adjusted. Even with Pedri’s injury, they managed to adapt. It’s just a pity that Germany lacked a bit of luck. Müller and Kroos are getting old, and their impact isn’t as strong as Spain’s. Germany played well but was just a bit unlucky. After Spain scored the final goal, they eased off, made various substitutions, and focused on defense. There was even a very clear handball that wasn’t called, indicating they didn’t want Germany to advance to the semi-finals. It was clearly a handball by Spain, intentionally ignored. But the outcome was decided—Germany is out. Analyzing it now is pointless. This is the football we love and hate! |
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