Spain beats France 5-4 in thriller to reach Nations League final
Spain vs France
Spain's teenage sensation Lamine Yamal delivered a performance for the ages, inspiring his country to a pulsating 5-4 victory over France on Thursday in a thrilling Nations League semifinal at the MHP Arena in Stuttgart, Germany. The European champions, under the astute guidance of coach Luis de la Fuente, showcased their attacking prowess and youthful exuberance to secure their place in a third consecutive Nations League final, where they will face off against their Iberian neighbors, Portugal, in what promises to be an electrifying showdown. The match was a rollercoaster of emotions, with Spain’s dazzling first-half display setting the tone, only for a late French resurgence to inject drama into the closing stages. Yamal, the 17-year-old Barcelona prodigy, was the undeniable star, his composure and flair epitomizing Spain’s fearless approach. This victory not only underlined Spain’s dominance on the continental stage but also cemented their status as a formidable force, driven by a new generation of talent that has seamlessly blended with the team’s storied tradition of tiki-taka football. The clash was billed as a battle of young stars and potential Ballon d’Or contenders, but it was Spain’s dynamic duo of Yamal and Nico Williams who stole the show, leaving France’s heralded attackers in their wake. The result was a testament to Spain’s relentless attacking philosophy and their ability to weather a storm, even when France’s late rally threatened to derail their ambitions.
The match began with Spain asserting their authority early, their high-pressing game and intricate passing patterns overwhelming a French side that appeared fatigued from Paris Saint-Germain’s recent Champions League triumph in Munich. Within the first 25 minutes, Spain had raced into a commanding 2-0 lead, with Nico Williams and Mikel Merino scoring goals of sublime quality. Williams, the Athletic Bilbao winger, opened the scoring with an emphatic finish after capitalizing on a rare early miss by France’s Kylian Mbappé, who squandered a golden opportunity in the opening exchanges. Williams’ goal was a statement of intent, his blistering pace and clinical finishing leaving France’s defense scrambling. Just three minutes later, Spain doubled their advantage through Merino, who slotted home a pinpoint pass from Mikel Oyarzabal in a move that epitomized the fluidity and precision of De la Fuente’s system. The goal marked only the second time in Didier Deschamps’ 13-year tenure as France’s coach that Les Bleus had conceded twice in the opening half-hour of a match, a statistic that underscored Spain’s early dominance. France, despite their wealth of talent, struggled to find their rhythm, with PSG stars Désiré Doué and Ousmane Dembélé failing to make an impact. The contrast between Spain’s cohesive attacking unit and France’s disjointed performance was stark, as the European champions dictated the tempo with a blend of youthful exuberance and tactical discipline.
The second half saw Spain’s momentum continue unabated, with Lamine Yamal taking center stage. Nine minutes after the interval, the 17-year-old won and converted a penalty with remarkable composure, sending France goalkeeper Mike Maignan the wrong way to make it 3-0. The penalty was awarded after Yamal himself was fouled, a moment that highlighted his ability to draw defenders out of position with his quick feet and fearless dribbling. Less than a minute later, Spain’s lead grew to four as Barcelona teammate Pedri added a sublime fourth goal, clipping the ball delicately over Maignan to send the Spanish supporters into raptures. The goal was a work of art, a testament to the telepathic understanding between Spain’s young stars and their ability to execute under pressure. Yamal’s influence was far from over, however, as he capped his exhilarating individual performance with a fifth goal for Spain in the 67th minute. The teenager’s second strike of the night came after he latched onto a loose ball and poked it past Maignan with the kind of composure that belies his tender age. With over 100 appearances for Barcelona already under his belt, Yamal’s maturity and technical brilliance were on full display, marking him as one of the brightest prospects in world football.
Despite Spain’s commanding lead, France refused to go quietly, mounting an extraordinary comeback that turned the match into a nerve-shredding spectacle. Kylian Mbappé, who had been relatively quiet by his lofty standards, pulled one back from the penalty spot just before the hour mark, offering France a glimmer of hope. The goal injected life into Deschamps’ side, and what followed was a frenetic sequence of events that saw the scoreline tighten dramatically. Lyon’s Rayan Cherki produced a stunning strike to reduce the deficit further, a moment of individual brilliance that deserved to be more consequential. Spain’s Dani Vivian then inadvertently turned the ball into his own net, adding to the growing tension among the Spanish ranks. Substitute Randal Kolo Muani completed France’s remarkable fightback with a clinical finish, making it 5-4 and setting the stage for a grandstand finish. The nine-goal thriller became the first Nations League match in history to feature such a high-scoring tally, and it marked the first time since 1969 that France had conceded five goals in a single game. Spain, however, held their nerve, with goalkeeper Unai Simón and the backline standing firm to repel France’s late onslaught and secure their place in the final.
Lamine Yamal’s post-match comments to Teledeporte encapsulated the passion and determination that have made him a fan favorite. “I always say it to my mother, I try to give it all,” he said. “It is what motivates me to play football, why I wake up in the mornings.” His words reflected the hunger and ambition that have driven Spain’s resurgence under De la Fuente, whose team has lost just once in over two years—a run that culminated in their European Championship triumph over England the previous year. Yamal acknowledged the quality of France’s squad, noting, “France have world-class players. The scoreline after 60 minutes was very big, but they have players who make you suffer.” Looking ahead to the final against Portugal, he added, “We are two very good teams with world-class players. The best will win. I hope to bring the cup to Spain.” His confidence and humility underscored the maturity that has seen him become a cornerstone of both club and country at such a young age.
France’s Kylian Mbappé, reflecting on the defeat, admitted to his team’s inconsistency but highlighted moments of promise. “We had some bursts of play we haven’t had for a long time,” he said. “But in just 10 minutes of the first half, we conceded two goals—and the same thing happened in the second half. We weren’t consistent throughout the 90 minutes, but we did improve. When you don’t win, there are always negative points that come out. But it’s not all negative.” His comments pointed to the resilience France showed in their late rally, but they were ultimately undone by Spain’s relentless attacking prowess and their own defensive lapses. The match exposed the vulnerabilities in a French side that, despite their depth of talent, struggled to match Spain’s intensity and cohesion.
Spain’s success under De la Fuente has been built on the dynamism of their wide players, with Yamal and Williams forming a devastating partnership that has terrorized defenses across Europe. Their ability to combine pace, skill, and clinical finishing has been central to Spain’s attacking philosophy, which blends the traditional possession-based style with a more direct, vertical approach. The semifinal showcased this evolution, as Spain’s goals came from a mix of intricate build-up play and rapid transitions. The contrast with France, who relied heavily on individual moments of brilliance from players like Mbappé and Cherki, highlighted the strength of Spain’s collective unit. As they prepare to face Portugal in the final, Spain will look to their young stars to once again lead the charge. Portugal, with their own array of talent, including Cristiano Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes, will provide a stern test, but Spain’s blend of youth and experience, coupled with their recent run of form, makes them slight favorites.
The Nations League final promises to be a fitting climax to a tournament that has showcased the best of European football. For Spain, it represents an opportunity to add another trophy to their cabinet and further cement their status as the continent’s dominant force. For Lamine Yamal, it is another chance to shine on the biggest stage, his meteoric rise showing no signs of slowing down. As the football world watches, the 17-year-old phenom and his Spanish teammates will aim to deliver a performance that matches the drama and brilliance of their semifinal triumph, with the hope of lifting the Nations League trophy and writing another chapter in their storied history.
