Lamine Yamal fires back at criticism from retired Real Madrid playmaker | OneFootball

Barcelona prodigy Lamine Yamal hit back at recent criticism from ex-pro Rafael van der Vaart following Spain's progression in a UEFA Nations League quarter-final on Sunday night.

The European champions prevailed over the Netherlands in a penalty shootout in Valencia following a 5-5 aggregate draw. Yamal missed his kick but had earlier scored during extra-time.

This decisive display came after the 17-year-old was slated for his perceived attitude by Van der Vaart, once of Real Madrid and others, following the first leg last week. The 42-year-old has built a reputation since turning to punditry in retirement for his hyper-critical style and Yamal was quick to rub Spain's eventual victory in Van der Vaart’s face.

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In the first leg, Yamal hadn't fared so well against Dutch full-back Jorrel Hato. But after the teenager was withdrawn, Hato was sent off and therefore suspended for the return fixture. Whether that was a factor in Yamal's improved display is up for debate – but Van der Vaart said he'd been in the defender's pocket.

"Yamal didn't seem to take kindly to facing Hato," the 2010 World Cup runner-up had earlier said on NOS TV. "These are things I notice: I see things that are starting to bother me a little. Pants a little lower, not making much of an effort, slightly superficial gestures.

"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."

Yamal hit back on social media with an Instagram post which included images of Van der Vaart above the caption: "Pants down, a goal, missed penalty AND IN THE SEMIFINALS HEHEHEHE GO SPAIN [sic]."

Spain will face France in a one-legged Nations League semi-final in Stuttgart, Germany on 5 June, vying for the chance to face one of Germany or Portugal in the showpiece fixture three days later in Munich.