Spain’s teenage sensation, Lamine Yamal, made headlines by winning the European Championship and being named the tournament’s best young player, all just a day after turning 17. Most of his stellar performances came while he was still 16, but he capped off his contribution to Spain’s success by setting up Nico Williams’ opening goal in a 2-1 victory over England in the final on Sunday.

“This is the best birthday gift I could have asked for. It’s a dream come true,” Yamal said. “It got tough when they tied the score, but I don’t know what this team is made of because we always fight back.”

The match saw England substitute Cole Palmer equalize, but Mikel Oyarzabal secured Spain’s win with a goal in the 86th minute. Yamal’s key moment came in the 47th minute when he assisted Williams’ goal. He maneuvered inside Luke Shaw and delivered a perfect pass to the left, allowing the Athletic Bilbao winger to strike first time into the far post. Yamal also forced two excellent saves from England’s goalkeeper, Jordan Pickford.

Understanding Key Football Rules:
Offside Rule:
A player is considered offside if any part of their body, excluding the hands and arms, is in the opponent’s half and closer to the opponent’s goal line than both the ball and the second-last defender when the ball is played to them.

Yellow and Red Cards:
A yellow card serves as a caution for unsporting behavior. A red card results in the player being sent off the field, and two yellow cards in one game lead to a red card and ejection.

Substitution Rules:
Typically, teams are allowed three substitutions per game, though this can increase in tournaments or extra time scenarios.

Free Kicks:
Awarded for fouls, free kicks can be direct or indirect. Direct free kicks allow the player to score directly, while indirect free kicks require the ball to touch another player before a goal can be scored.

Goal Kick:
When the ball crosses the goal line last touched by an attacking player and no goal is scored, a goal kick is awarded to the defending team to resume play from their goal area.

Lamine Yamal’s breakout performance at the European Championship not only showcases his incredible talent but also highlights the importance of understanding the rules that govern the beautiful game. As he continues to grow and develop, his grasp of football’s strategic elements will surely be a key factor in his future successes