Lamine Yamal's display enchants TNT Sports pundits in wild Barcelona clash with Inter in UEFA Champions League - 'A unique proposition'
Updated 30/04/2025 at 23:57 GMT+1
Lamine Yamal astounded the TNT Sports pundits as he put on a show in Barcelona's UEFA Champions League semi-final against Internazionale. The 17-year-old scored his side's first goal in a wild 3-3 draw in Spain. It leaves the tie finely poised ahead of the return fixture at the San Siro. Ally McCoist, Steve McManaman, Owen Hargreaves and Rio Ferdinand were all in awe of the Spaniard's display.
Remarkable, special Yamal makes everything look so easy - Hargreaves
Video credit: TNT Sports
Lamine Yamal was hailed as a "unique proposition" by TNT Sports expert Rio Ferdinand after his spell-binding performance against Internazionale in the UEFA Champions League.
The teenager helped Barcelona recover from 2-0 down to secure a 3-3 draw in the first leg of their semi-final tie.
It was his sensational strike that got the comeback rolling, converting with a magnificent curling effort that hit the post on the way home.
Had it not been for visiting goalkeeper Yann Sommer, the Spanish international could have added a second as well.
TNT Sports' Owen Hargreaves was full of praise for the 17-year-old, as he enthused: "It's the first time he got somebody 1v1. He leaves Henrikh Mkhitaryan for dead.
"He makes that look so easy. It's so cool. He's so calm. He doesn't even look up; he knows where the keeper is, he knows where the goal is.
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"I think he sees it a fraction quicker. He's 17 - it's not normal.
"He's so special, he really is. It's remarkable to watch him, he makes everything look so easy.
"This is the best of the best, the size of this Inter team, defensively one of the best. The only way they can stop him is with three or four defenders. He's such a special player.
"Credit to Inter, they came to play. We said Barca would give you a chance with the high line, but Yamal put on a clinic in that first half. The second leg could be anything."
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'Mesmerising' from Yamal as he scores worldie for Barcelona
Video credit: TNT Sports
Despite his youth, Yamal has already had quite the career.
England fans will want to forget how he helped Spain beat Gareth Southgate's side in the UEFA Euro 2024 final last summer.
Since then, he has added Spanish Super Cup and Copa del Rey titles to an ever-growing trophy haul.
Ferdinand was on commentary duty for TNT Sports at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys, and was in awe of how the youngster played.
"First half, we had probably one of the best seats in the house," he said. "We were sitting just behind where Lamine Yamal was doing his damage and just mesmerising this whole stadium.
"I was talking about the amount of times he impacted a sequence of play. Every part of his foot he was using today. The different detail, the different way he was moving his body to receive the ball. Every facet of his game was on show.
"It's the way he's taking over games for moments. It's great to see that. When I talk about the best pure talent, he has the ability to play different ways in a football match.
"He can affect the game through just passing and being a creator, like a playmaker. He can also affect the game by running past people and eliminating players and then finishing.
"To do that I think makes him a very unique proposition."
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Yamal brilliance 'not normal' - 'We haven't seen it before'
Video credit: TNT Sports
Ally McCoist was sitting alongside Ferdinand at Barcelona's temporary home ground, and was equally impressed.
"I thought it was amazing, as good a 45 minutes that I've seen from an individual in a long, long time," he said.
"To watch him close hand... there were balls with the outside of his left foot, the inside of his right.
"The goal is majestic. Di Marco ended up way off the pitch. There were just so many aspects to his game today that were just absolutely first class.
"To think a 17-year-old boy, I know he plays with freedom, but to express himself... it's as if he's been playing for 15, 20 years. His game knowledge is absolutely incredible for a 17-year-old."
The draw sets the tie on a knife edge ahead of the return fixture at the San Siro next week.
And if they did not realise already, Inter will now know what to expect from Yamal, who was making his 100th appearance for Barcelona.
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Yamal illuminates UCL semi-final with magic feet - ‘Box of tricks’
Video credit: TNT Sports
And Hargreaves added that he knew the Spain international could turn the game on its head.
He continued: "Even at 2-0, I said this is not over. These guys, they're a proper team. I think we've seen in the past, this Barca team, they've really struggled.
"This Barca team are different. 2-0 down at the start of the game, they find a way. They hang in there.
"They're one of the best teams to watch, with PSG. Every game is entertainment. It's chaos at the back, but going forward they're absolutely class."
TNT Sports' Steve McManaman concluded that the only blot on the night for Barca was that they failed to get a victory.
The former Liverpool winger added: "You just thought they would go on and win the game. That was the only thing.
"Barcelona will probably be really upset. From that moment [Torres' equaliser] on, they really dominated.
"Half-time really saved Inter, a little bit."
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