The Japan Times - Spain star Yamal still maturing after rollercoaster night

The 17-year-old thrilled during the 3-3 draw against the Netherlands on Sunday at a sold-out Mestalla stadium in Valencia, even if he ended up with a bittersweet feeling as Bart Verbruggen denied him in the shoot-out.

Spain progressed 5-4 on penalties after a wildly entertaining 5-5 aggregate tie, another stepping stone on his journey to the top of the game.

A key player for Barcelona and already having won Euro 2024 with his country, a day after turning 17 last July, Yamal's incursions on the right flank draw spectators to their feet and comparisons to Argentina great Lionel Messi.

The loudest roar as the home team was read out by the Mestalla stadium announcer was reserved for his name, and "Yamal" was printed on the back of more than a fair share of the Spain shirts flooding through the gates.

The highlight of the night for many was Yamal's stunning extra-time strike, controlling Dean Huijsen's lofted pass with a deft flick, turning to eke out a yard of space and bending the ball past Verbruggen in the Netherlands goal.

It was the perfect riposte to criticism that appeared after a relatively quiet night in the 2-2 quarter-final first leg draw in Rotterdam last week.

"I see things that are starting to bother me a little... shorts a little lower, not making much of an effort," said former Netherlands international Rafael van der Vaart.

Yamal responded on the pitch, and then off it with a post on Instagram following the game.

"Shorts down, a goal, a missed penalty and into the semi-finals, come on Spain!" wrote Yamal on the social media platform, including a photo of Van der Vaart's face.

Yamal is not shy of firing back at his critics, as he showed with a jab at Adrien Rabiot during the Euros, after helping eliminate France by scoring a wondergoal.

Spain will face France again in the Nations League semi-finals as they bid to defend the title they won for the first time in 2023.

- 'What a disaster' -

Yamal's Barcelona team-mate Pedri said the teenager would bounce back from his penalty miss, a surprisingly tame effort kept out by Verbruggen.

"I told him it was a terrible penalty," laughed Pedri, who netted Spain's winner from the spot after Donyell Malen missed for Netherlands.

"But no, you learn from these situations, he doesn't let the pressure affect him and you have to take a penalty to be able to miss it.

"How calm he is has always surprised us, it's like pressure doesn't exist for him when you see the way he dribbles so easily, and the way he plays.

"We have to take care of him and most of all, enjoy having him."

Yamal has four goals in 19 Spain appearances, but plays with the self-assurance of a superstar at their peak.

Defender Marc Cucurella also joked about Yamal's penalty miss -- with Spain players' willingness to laugh about it showing they believe the winger can take the jibes on the chin.

"I saw him go up to take it with confidence and I thought, he'll score here for sure," said the left-back.

"Then I saw how he hit it and I said 'What a disaster!'"

Penalties aside, Yamal, and Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams on the opposite flank, help make Spain a hugely exciting side to watch.

"We always want to attack, and attack a lot," said Spain coach Luis de la Fuente.

"That's why the fans have enjoyed this so much, the game was out of control in some moments, it's a spectacle to see."

The coach, who previously said Yamal had been 'touched by a magic wand', acknowledged the youngster is still growing.

"Lamine is disappointed (with the penalty) but he's happy," added De la Fuente.

"He gave us what we needed from him but he's still growing and maturing."

K.Tanaka--JT