Lamine Yamal had the perfect response to Rafael van der Vaart’s criticism, delivering a clever celebration and sharp Instagram comment following Spain’s Nations League quarter-final triumph over the Netherlands.
The reigning Euro 2024 champions defeated Ronald Koeman’s team on penalties after a thrilling 5-5 aggregate draw over two legs, setting up a semi-final clash against France on 5 June.
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The second leg ended 2-2 in regular time, with Mikel Oyarzabal scoring twice and Memphis Depay and Ian Maatsen also getting on the scoresheet. ..Continue Reading
During extra time, Yamal netted a spectacular goal, but Xavi Simons equalized through a penalty to take the match to a shootout.
Ultimately, La Roja claimed victory, even though their 17-year-old prodigy missed his penalty.
The Barcelona rising star has received widespread praise since breaking into the football scene at just 16 years old.
His exceptional performances this season, including scoring 13 goals and providing 17 assists for Barcelona, have drawn admiration from legends such as Thierry Henry, who highlighted his remarkable maturity.
However, after the first leg, former Real Madrid and Tottenham midfielder Van der Vaart unexpectedly criticized the young talent.
He described Yamal as “superficial,” claimed he struggled against left-back Jorrel Hato, and even took issue with how low the winger wore his shorts.
“These are things I notice: I see things that are starting to bother me a bit. Pants a little lower, not making much effort, gestures a little superficial,” Van der Vaart said on NOS.
“That’s when I think: if you’re that young, you should be happy with every minute you play for Spain.
“No matter how good you are, at that age, you have to prove it every minute and in every game. But that doesn’t change the fact that Hato simply had him in his pocket.”
Following his brilliant goal to put his team ahead at 3-2, Yamal playfully pulled his shorts down in a cheeky jab at Van der Vaart as his teammates swarmed him in celebration.
The Barcelona star didn’t stop there, later targeting Van der Vaart with a viral Instagram post that quickly caught attention online.
He shared a series of snaps from the match, with the caption: “Pants down, goal scored, missed penalty and in the semifinals… vamos, Spain”.
Buried within the carousel were screenshots showing Van der Vaart appearing visibly annoyed, paired with images of Yamal’s celebration.
Spain is set to face France in the semi-final on June 5, following their penalty shootout victory at the Stade de France after a 2-2 aggregate draw with Croatia.
The other semi-final, featuring Germany and Portugal, will take place on June 4 at the Allianz Arena in Munich.
