COLOGNE, Germany: At Euro 2024, Spain’s dynamic duo, Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams, have become the tournament’s breakout stars.
While Yamal, the teenage winger from Barcelona, has garnered significant attention, it is Athletic Bilbao’s 21-year-old winger, Williams, who has emerged as a key player for La Roja.
In the last 16 match against Georgia, Williams scored a stunning goal in Spain’s 4-1 victory, setting up a quarter-final clash with hosts Germany.
The Spanish newspaper Marca aptly described Yamal and Williams as “two Ferraris,” highlighting their speed and skill. Midfielder Rodri praised their youthful energy and innocence, which have been crucial for the team.
Williams, born five years before Yamal, has been a mentor and friend to the younger player. His performances have attracted interest from top clubs, including Barcelona. If the Catalans can resolve their financial issues, they may pursue Williams to recreate Spain’s formidable attack.
With Williams and Yamal’s pace and skill, Spain is aiming for a fourth Euros triumph. Williams, in particular, has shown rapid improvement. He considered his best performance in Spain’s 1-0 group stage win over Italy, but his display against Georgia is a strong contender.
Against Italy, Williams repeatedly outplayed Giovanni Di Lorenzo, showcasing Spain’s strength early on. Although Georgia was a weaker opponent on paper, they had previously upset Portugal and kept a clean sheet. Williams’ brilliant strike to put Spain 3-1 up in Cologne was a highlight, as he left a defender behind and scored with a powerful shot.
Williams’ older brother and Athletic Bilbao teammate, Inaki, watched proudly from the stands. Inaki, a Ghana international, had looked after Nico during their childhood when their parents were working in different countries. Nico expressed his joy after scoring, dedicating the goal to his family and friends in the stands.
After the match, Williams and Yamal shared a playful moment, competing in a game of ‘rock, paper, scissors’ for a post-match drink. Williams humorously mentioned that Yamal would have to endure his teasing for not scoring, but he hoped Yamal would get on the scoresheet in the next game.
Facing Germany in the quarter-finals is a significant challenge for Williams and Yamal, but Spain’s “Ferraris” show no signs of slowing down. With their impressive performances, Spain remains a strong contender for the Euro 2024 title.
