Four people have been arrested after a knife attack on the father of young Spanish football star Lamine Yamal in Catalonia, local police told AFP Thursday. The attack took place at 1910 GMT on Wednesday in a car park in the Catalan town of Mataro, around 30 kilometres from Barcelona, in the Rocafonda neighbourhood where Lamine Yamal is from, said a spokesman for the Mossos d’Esquadra, the Catalan regional police force. Yamal’s father Mounir Nasraoui was stabbed several times the police said, and is being treated at the Can Ruti hospital, who could not be reached by AFP for comment.

“Thanks to everyone for your support, I’m already doing better, a big hug for everyone,” wrote Nasraoui in a post on Instagram on Thursday afternoon.

A source close to the family told AFP that Nasraoui is now “out of danger” and “remains under observation” but in a “stable” condition.

Asked about the events and the victim’s possible release date from hospital, the source did not wish to say more.

Yamal was pictured leaving the hospital in a car after visiting his father.

Three people were arrested Wednesday night and were being questioned at Mataro police station, while a fourth was taken into custody at 0900 GMT Thursday morning.

Investigators must also interview the victim “as soon as possible”, as well as witnesses, to uncover the circumstances of the attack, said the police.

Spanish newspaper La Vanguardia said the incident occurred after an argument in the street with some men who had approached him while he was walking his dog and later returned to assault him.

Yamal made his Barcelona debut aged 15 in April 2023 and burst into the limelight last season, becoming a key player for the Catalan giants.

The winger, now 17, played a key role for his country as Spain triumphed at Euro 2024 for a record fourth time, becoming the youngest ever footballer to play and score in the competition’s history.

Yamal’s father and grandmother still live in Rocafonda and he tends to celebrate goals by making a ‘304’ gesture with his hands, referring to the postcode of his neighbourhood.

Nasraoui became famous during the European Championship for his social media presence and media appearances, frequently posting content showing his support for his son.

France vs Spain Live Streaming, Men’s Football Final Olympics 2024© AFP

PR Sreejesh after India’s bronze medal win at Paris Olympics 2024© AFP

The Indian men’s hockey team clinched a second successive bronze medal at the Olympic Games for the first time in 52 years with a come-from-behind 2-1 win over Spain, giving veteran goalkeeper PR Sreejesh a fitting farewell on Thursday. It was tense last few minutes for the Indians as they faced two short corners within the last minute but the defence stood tall and soaked in the pressure. India, who claimed the bronze in Tokyo Games after a hiatus of 41 years, lived up to the expectations despite not having a perfect build-up to the Games. The last time India won back-to-back Olympic medals was in 1968 (bronze) and 1972 editions (bronze).

The bronze medal was also a desperate wait for the Indian contingent In Paris, which has endured six fourth-place finishes so far, apart from heartbreaking disqualification of wrestler Vinesh Phogat.

Spain went ahead with skipper Marc Miralles (18th) converting a penalty stroke while India captain Harmanpreet Singh (30th, 33rd) stole the limelight with a brace.

INDIA WIN THE BRONZE MEDAL IN HOCKEY AT #Paris2024!

Keep watching the Olympics action LIVE on #Sports18 & stream for FREE on #JioCinema#OlympicsonJioCinema #OlympicsonSports18 #Olympics #JioCinemaSports #Hockey #Cheer4Bharat #INDvsESP pic.twitter.com/r6VKxI5htY

— JioCinema (@JioCinema) August 8, 2024

Shrugging off their heart-wrenching 2-3 defeat against Germany in the semifinal, India came out all guns blazing to dominate the possession in the first quarter.

It was an offensive start from India as they penetrated Spain’s defence regularly in the first 15 minutes and created the first scoring chance of the match in the sixth minute.

Vice-captain Hardik Singh created a fine move from the right and passed the ball into the D to Sukhjeet Singh, whose shot went just wide of the left side Spanish goal as the Europeans survived.

The Spanish came with more purpose and intensity in the second quarter and pressed hard on the Indian goal. They took the lead in the 18th minute through a penalty stroke conversion by Miralles after Manpreet Singh conceded an unnecessary foul inside the D.

Spain kept up the tempo and secured back-to-back penalty corners in the 20th minute but the Indians defended stoutly. In the 28th minute, Spain secured another penalty corner after Borja Lacalle hit the post but it went in vain.

Still trailing, India pressed hard on the Spain defence and secured their first penalty corner in the 29th minute but could not convert.

Just 21 seconds from half-time, Manpreet compensated for his fault by earning India another penalty corner and this time Harmanpreet was bang on target.

India got another penalty corner in the 35th minute but Harmanpreet’s fierce stroke was blocked by Spain goalkeeper Luis Calzado.

Mandeep Singh’s terrific run from the left flank resulted in another short corner but Spanish on-ruhser Jordi Bonastre took a blow on his left knee to deny India.

Sreejesh then foiled an attempt from Spain as India kept its 2-1 lead till the end of third quarter.

Hardik had to be taken off the field five minutes after the fourth quarter after he collided with a rival player to suffer a hand injury.

This was after India yet again made a short corner save. It was Manpreet, who mistakenly landed the ball on Hardik’s foot.

However, Marc Recasens hit wide, much to the relief of the Indian camp.

Three minutes from the final hooter, Spain took off goalkeeper Calzado in a desperate attempt to find equaliser but India made no mistake in the dying moments.

India vs Spain LIVE Score, Men’s Hockey, Paris Olympics 2024© AFP

Argentina bounced back from the chaos of their opening defeat in the Olympic men’s football to beat Iraq 3-1 on Saturday, while Spain and Japan became the first teams through to the quarter-finals. Two-time gold medallists Argentina began their campaign at the Games with a 2-1 defeat by Morocco on Wednesday in Saint-Etienne in a match marred by crowd trouble. The South Americans had a late equaliser disallowed and the final minutes took place in an empty stadium following the disruption.

However, Javier Mascherano‘s side registered their first win in Group B on Saturday and the result, coupled with Ukraine’s last-gasp 2-1 victory over Morocco in Saint-Etienne, means all four teams in the section are now level on three points.

Argentina went ahead on 14 minutes in Lyon when Manchester City’s Julian Alvarez laid the ball off for Thiago Almada to fire in.

Iraq drew level in first-half stoppage time as captain Aymen Hussein rose to head home.

But Argentina went back ahead just after the hour mark. Luciano Gondou had been on the pitch barely two minutes when he appeared unmarked at the back post to head in an inviting cross.

The third goal came five minutes from time as Kevin Zenon laid the ball back for Ezequiel Fernandez, of Boca Juniors, to curl in from range.

“We need to look forward and focus on what we can control, which is playing football. That is what I suggested we do, play the better football,” said Mascherano as he refused to revisit the Morocco debacle.

France on verge of quarters

Morocco were caught by a 98th-minute sucker punch against Ukraine, who grabbed the victory when Oleh Fedor set up Ihor Krasnopir to score from close range.

Ukraine had gone ahead midway through the first half through Dmytro Kryskiv but appeared in trouble when Volodymyr Saliuk pulled back Soufiane Rahimi in the box on the hour.

Saliuk’s yellow card was upgraded to red on review, and Rahimi converted the penalty, his third goal of the tournament making it 1-1.

Morocco were then pushing for the winner with the extra man when Ukraine snatched the points.

In the last round of group games on Tuesday, Argentina face Ukraine while Morocco meet Iraq. 

Spain are through to the last eight already after claiming a second win from as many games in Group C as the Tokyo silver medallists beat the Dominican Republic 3-1 in Bordeaux.

Fermin Lopez gave them the lead, but debutants the Dominican Republic surprisingly equalised on 38 minutes when Angel Montes de Oca headed in at a corner.

However, they were reduced to 10 men in first-half stoppage time when captain Edison Azcona received his marching orders for kicking out at Pau Cubarsi.

Spain made the extra player count after the break, with Alex Baena’s deflected strike restoring their lead before substitute Miguel Gutierrez tapped in on 70 minutes.

Spain’s passage to the last eight was secured after Egypt beat Uzbekistan 1-0 in Nantes, Ahmed Koka scoring the only goal early on.

Thierry Henry‘s France team made it two wins from two in Group A as they edged Guinea 1-0 in Nice, with Freiburg full-back Kiliann Sildillia heading in a 75th-minute winner from Michael Olise’s cross.

France are not yet through from Group A, in which the United States thrashed New Zealand 4-1 in Marseille in the other game.

The host nation still require a point against New Zealand on Tuesday to guarantee progress.

Japan, winners of this year’s Under-23 Asian Cup, secured a quarter-final berth with a dramatic 1-0 victory against Mali in Bordeaux.

Rihito Yamamoto scrambled in the only goal in the 82nd minute, although Mali had a chance to equalise from a penalty deep in injury time.

The spot-kick was given for a handball after a VAR review, but Cheickna Doumbia contrived to put it wide.

Also in Group D, Paraguay scored twice in stoppage time to beat Israel 4-2 in an entertaining game in Paris, with Marcelo Fernandez’s brace bookending the victory for the 2004 silver medallists.

Argentina bounced back from the chaos of their opening game in the Olympic men’s football tournament to beat Iraq 3-1 on Saturday, while Spain got the better of 10-man Dominican Republic. Two-time gold medallists Argentina began their campaign at the Paris Games with a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Morocco on Wednesday in Saint-Etienne in a match marred by crowd trouble. However, Javier Mascherano‘s side registered their first points in Group B thanks to goals by Thiago Almada, Luciano Gondou and Ezequiel Fernandez in Lyon, with Aymen Hussein replying for Iraq.

The result allows Argentina to move level on three points with Iraq — who beat Ukraine 2-1 in their opening game — and Morocco. Ukraine and Morocco were due to meet later Saturday in Saint-Etienne.

The South Americans were reeling after the circumstances of their defeat by Morocco, in which they thought they had equalised in the 16th minute of injury time through Cristian Medina.

The teams were taken off the pitch due to the crowd trouble that followed, and Medina’s goal was eventually disallowed after a VAR review before the final moments of the match were completed in an empty stadium.

There was no such controversy in Lyon, where Argentina went ahead on 14 minutes when Manchester City’s Julian Alvarez laid the ball off for Almada to fire in the opener.

Iraq, who qualified after finishing third at this year’s Under-23 Asian Cup, drew level in the fifth minute of first-half stoppage time as captain Hussein rose to head in a cross from the left wing.

But Argentina went back ahead just after the hour mark. Argentinos Juniors forward Gondou had been on the pitch barely two minutes when he appeared unmarked at the back post to head in an inviting cross.

The third goal that secured the points came five minutes from time as Kevin Zenon laid the ball back for Fernandez, of Boca Juniors, to curl in a beauty from range.

Spain claimed a second win from as many games in Group C as the Tokyo silver medallists beat the Dominican Republic 3-1 in Bordeaux.

They went ahead midway through the first half as Barcelona’s Fermin Lopez — a member of Spain’s triumphant Euro 2024 squad — intercepted a pass out by goalkeeper Enrique Boesl to control and fire in.

It was all one-way traffic but the Dominican Republic — appearing at their first Olympics — surprisingly equalised on 38 minutes when Angel Montes de Oca headed in at a corner.

However, they were reduced to 10 men in first-half stoppage time when captain Edison Azcona received his marching orders for kicking out at Pau Cubarsi while on the ground.

Spain made the extra player count after the break, with Alex Baena’s deflected strike restoring their lead before substitute Miguel Gutierrez, of Girona, tapped in on 70 minutes.

His goal was initially disallowed for offside before being given after a VAR check. Argentina bounced back from the chaos of their opening game in the Olympic men’s football tournament to beat Iraq 3-1 on Saturday, while Spain got the better of 10-man Dominican Republic.

Two-time gold medallists Argentina began their campaign at the Paris Games with a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Morocco on Wednesday in Saint-Etienne in a match marred by crowd trouble.

However, Javier Mascherano’s side registered their first points in Group B thanks to goals by Thiago Almada, Luciano Gondou and Ezequiel Fernandez in Lyon, with Aymen Hussein replying for Iraq.

The result allows Argentina to move level on three points with Iraq — who beat Ukraine 2-1 in their opening game — and Morocco. Ukraine and Morocco were due to meet later Saturday in Saint-Etienne.

The South Americans were reeling after the circumstances of their defeat by Morocco, in which they thought they had equalised in the 16th minute of injury time through Cristian Medina.

The teams were taken off the pitch due to the crowd trouble that followed, and Medina’s goal was eventually disallowed after a VAR review before the final moments of the match were completed in an empty stadium.

There was no such controversy in Lyon, where Argentina went ahead on 14 minutes when Manchester City’s Julian Alvarez laid the ball off for Almada to fire in the opener.

Iraq, who qualified after finishing third at this year’s Under-23 Asian Cup, drew level in the fifth minute of first-half stoppage time as captain Hussein rose to head in a cross from the left wing.

But Argentina went back ahead just after the hour mark. Argentinos Juniors forward Gondou had been on the pitch barely two minutes when he appeared unmarked at the back post to head in an inviting cross.

The third goal that secured the points came five minutes from time as Kevin Zenon laid the ball back for Fernandez, of Boca Juniors, to curl in a beauty from range.

Spain claimed a second win from as many games in Group C as the Tokyo silver medallists beat the Dominican Republic 3-1 in Bordeaux.

They went ahead midway through the first half as Barcelona’s Fermin Lopez — a member of Spain’s triumphant Euro 2024 squad — intercepted a pass out by goalkeeper Enrique Boesl to control and fire in.

It was all one-way traffic but the Dominican Republic — appearing at their first Olympics — surprisingly equalised on 38 minutes when Angel Montes de Oca headed in at a corner.

However, they were reduced to 10 men in first-half stoppage time when captain Edison Azcona received his marching orders for kicking out at Pau Cubarsi while on the ground.

Spain made the extra player count after the break, with Alex Baena’s deflected strike restoring their lead before substitute Miguel Gutierrez, of Girona, tapped in on 70 minutes.

His goal was initially disallowed for offside before being given after a VAR check.

Their Group C rivals Uzbekistan and Egypt were due to meet later in Nantes.

Also on Saturday, heavily-fancied hosts France chase a second straight win when they play Guinea in Nice in Group A.

Their Group C rivals Uzbekistan and Egypt were due to meet later in Nantes.

Also on Saturday, heavily-fancied hosts France chase a second straight win when they play Guinea in Nice in Group A.

Cristian Medina scored the equaliser in the 16th added minute as Argentina came from two down to draw 2-2 with Morocco on the opening day of men’s Olympic football action on Wednesday, while Spain edged Uzbekistan 2-1. Argentina are looking to win men’s football gold in Paris for the third time after previous successes in 2004 and 2008, but Javier Mascherano‘s side looked set to get off to a losing start in Saint-Etienne. They trailed 2-0 in the Group B game to a Soufiane Rahimi brace for Morocco but did pull one back through Giuliano Simeone before Medina finished off a crazy move right at the death.

Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi, the Paris Saint-Germain full-back who is one of the biggest names featuring in the tournament, set up forward Rahimi for the opener at the end of a fine move in first-half stoppage time.

The reigning African Under-23 champions doubled their lead six minutes into the second half from the penalty spot, UAE-based forward Rahimi stroking in the spot-kick after Ilias Akhomach was brought down.

Argentina coach Mascherano, who starred in the teams that won gold in Athens and Beijing, had at one point hoped to persuade Lionel Messi to feature among the three permitted overage players in his squad otherwise limited to those under 23.

Messi opted not to come to the Games, and the biggest names in their side here were Manchester City striker Julian Alvarez and captain Nicolas Otamendi, the Benfica defender.

Simeone, son of former Argentina star Diego, came off the bench to pull one back midway through the second half, and Medina saved a point in the 106th minute.

Otamendi’s shot was turned onto the bar by the goalkeeper and Bruno Amione headed the follow-up off the woodwork, but Medina was on hand to make it third time lucky and secure a draw.

Group B rivals Iraq and Ukraine meet later in Lyon.

Gomez makes amends

Silver medallists in Tokyo three years ago, Spain were made to work hard to beat Uzbekistan in their Group C opener at the Parc des Princes in Paris.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino was among the spectators watching a Spain side featuring two members of their Euro 2024-winning squad in Alex Baena of Villarreal and Barcelona’s Fermin Lopez.

Spain went ahead just before the half-hour mark when Sergio Gomez’s free-kick was helped on by Abel Ruiz to the back post where Marc Pubill turned the ball in.

However, Uzbekistan had chances and drew level from the penalty spot in first-half added time.

Pau Cubarsi was penalised for a foul in the box following a VAR review, and Uzbekistan captain Eldor Shomurodov, the Roma forward, converted the penalty.

Cubarsi, the 17-year-old Barcelona prodigy, had been booked early in the game and did not reappear for the second half.

Spain got a penalty of their own for a foul on Aimar Oroz, but Gomez’s kick was saved by goalkeeper Abduvohid Nematov.

However, Gomez made up for that by grabbing what proved to be the winner just after the hour mark.

Juan Miranda cut the ball back from the byline for Gomez — who has just joined Real Sociedad from Manchester City — to fire in.

Spain are in Group C with Egypt and the Dominican Republic.

The pick of Wednesday’s later games will see hosts France face the United States in Marseille in Group A, with Thierry Henry‘s team hoping to win a medal despite failing in their attempts to enrol the services of Kylian Mbappe.

Over the past two decades the football world had gotten used to an FC Barcelona forward tormenting the defenders, scoring outrageous goals, possessing exceptional playmaking skills, and lighting up the right wing. Three years after Lionel Messi’s exit from Barca, the Catalonian club may have done the impossible, and found a perfect replacement for the Argentine legend. Lamine Yamal, the youngster whose attacking prowess seems second to none, has successfully established himself as one of the most dangerous attackers in football with his performance at the Euro 2024 tournament where he became the youngest player to ever play in a major tournament final overtaking none other than Pele.

Born and raised in Catalonia, Lamine was co-parented by his father Mounir Nasraoui, and mother Sheila Abana. The couple had gotten divorced when Yamal was just three years old. Lamine arrived at FC Barcelona at the age of seven from his local club CF La Torreta. At La Masia, he raced through the age categories quicker than any other player of his age showing the potential that he holds.

A recent photo went viral of a 20-year-old Lionel Messi posing for a photo with Lamine Yamal, who at the time was just eight months old further strengthening the belief in fans all over the world that the two players are in some way connected.

Lamine’s family had won a raffle in the town of Mataró, Catalonia. The raffle was sponsored by Diario Sport and UNICEF and offered winners the chance to have pictures taken with Barcelona players.

Lamine’s rapid rise to prominence began when he started training with Barca’s first team at just 15 years old, at the request of coach Xavi Hernandez. He made his debut for the first team in April 2023, becoming the youngest player ever to represent the club.

After an impressive 2022/23 campaign, Lamine continued with the first team for preseason in 2023/24 and became a regular presence in the squad. He set multiple records for the club, including being the youngest player to reach 50 appearances and impressive goal-scoring and assisting tallies in various competitions.

Despite his young age, Lamine has already shown immense promise and is expected to be a key player for FC Barcelona in the years to come.

In just a matter of one single season, Lamal has grown accustomed to having his name in the record books. The 17-year-old is the youngest player to represent FC Barcelona at 15 years, 9 months, and 16 days and scored seven goals in 50 appearances in the 2023/24 season.

He then went on to make his mark outside of La Liga at the 2024 European Championship where he ended the campaign as the Young Player of the Tournament having one goal and four assists to his name.

The whole world now knows the name of Lamine Yamal and will tune into Barcelona games to watch the young phenom play from the 2024/25 season.

Spain conquered Europe for a record fourth time on Sunday as they beat England to win Euro 2024 and want this historic night to be the beginning of a new period of dominance. Led by young stars Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams, 17 and 22 respectively, many in Luis de la Fuente’s superb side will hit their prime in the years ahead. Between 2008 and 2012 Spain dominated international football, winning the Euros in those years and the 2010 World Cup in the middle. A fallow period followed with Spain falling badly short in most competitions until reaching the semi-finals of Euro 2020.

It was a positive sign but a last 16 defeat by Morocco at the 2022 World Cup spelled the end of Luis Enrique’s reign and the start of what was to come.

No longer dependent on dominating possession, Luis de la Fuente’s Spain play to a wide variety of strengths.

Sometimes they do keep the ball, as in the second half of their semi-final win over pre-tournament favourites France, but are not afraid to go direct, with the speedy and skilful Williams and Yamal duo leaving full-backs for dead on the counter.

Spain’s football has changed but they are hoping their domination of the international stage will be repeated.

“The European champions have been deservedly crowned, today I am even prouder and I hope this impulse will serve to be even better,” said De la Fuente.

“You can always improve and that’s our objective… we will do it because these players are an example for everyone, they are so good.”

Three of the stars from their golden generation, Xavi Hernandez, Andres Iniesta and David Villa, watched on in the Olympiastadion as La Roja lifted a major trophy for the first time in 12 years.

Laughing stock

Their elation in Germany comes after a troubled period in which the Spanish football federation became a global laughing stock.

After their brilliant women’s team won the World Cup in Australia last August, disgraced former president Luis Rubiales sparked worldwide controversy by forcibly kissing player Jenni Hermoso.

The man who appointed De la Fuente as Luis Enrique’s replacement eventually stepped down from his post three weeks later under heavy pressure from the government and the women’s players, who went on strike.

De la Fuente came close to the brink himself after applauding a fiery Rubiales speech initially refusing to resign, but apologised for it later, saying he was under “psychological stress” in the situation.

The coach had also come under heavy scrutiny after a shock defeat by Scotland in Euros qualifying in March 2023, but steadied the ship by winning the Nations League three months later, confirming Spain were on the right track, at least on the field.

With the team no longer dependent on stars from Real Madrid and Barcelona, but instead a real mix including a strong Basque contingent from Athletic Bilbao and Real Sociedad, Spain believed in themselves and their plan, even if others viewed them as lacking players to compete with the likes of France and England for the trophy.

They beat both, as well as hosts Germany and Euro 2020 winners Italy — the other four of Europe’s ‘big five’.

“This is a dream, we are the best national team in Europe,” Rodri told ITV.

“Imagine what we have next — we are so happy. We made history but it doesn’t stop here, we have talent and we’ll keep going.”

They won Euro 2024 without Barcelona midfielder Gavi, who suffered a bad knee injury in November, and the Catalan club’s young centre-back Pau Cubarsi, whom De la Fuente left behind this time, but will likely be a key component in the future.

Spain were also without Pedri for the semis and final after he was hurt early in the quarter-final win over Germany.

It is clear why De la Fuente believes Spain’s present is bright but their future can be even brighter.