It was not to be for Kobbie Mainoo nor England in Sunday’s Euro 2024 final against Spain, but the Manchester United midfielder was part of a major tournament first in Berlin.
With Mainoo starting for England and Lamine Yamal in Spain’s line-up, it was the first time that two teenagers featured in the final of a World Cup or European Championship.
A day after his 17th birthday, Barcelona winger Yamal became the youngest ever player to appear in a major international tournament final, beating Pele’s record set at the 1958 World Cup.
Mainoo, aged 19 years and 86 days, is the fifth youngest to play in a major final, behind Yamal, Pele, Italy‘s Giuseppe Bergomi (1982 World Cup) and Renato Sanches of Portugal (Euro 2016).
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