In a breathtaking Nations League semifinal in Stuttgart, Spain triumphed over France 5-4, propelled by a dazzling performance from Lamine Yamal, to secure a final showdown with Portugal in Munich on Sunday. 

France, the 2021 champions, will face Germany in the third-place play-off.

Spain surged to a 2-0 lead by halftime, with Nico Williams rifling a shot into the net’s roof and Arsenal’s Mikel Merino capitalizing on lax defending to score. 

The second half exploded into a goal-fest, with Yamal, a Ballon d’Or contender, earning and converting a penalty after being fouled by Adrien Rabiot, making it 3-0. Pedri then latched onto a Williams pass to slot home Spain’s fourth. 

France responded with a Kylian Mbappe penalty after Tottenham’s Pedro Porro’s foul, but Yamal’s low, precise strike restored Spain’s four-goal cushion at 5-1.

France mounted a stunning late comeback. Debutant Rayan Cherki ignited hope with a spectacular 20-yard volley off Mbappe’s pass, narrowing the gap to 5-2. 

With six minutes left, Spanish defender Dani Vivian’s own goal made it 5-3, and Randal Kolo Muani’s header in stoppage time brought France within one. 

Despite the pressure, Spain’s goalkeeper Unai Simon stood firm, his earlier saves against Ousmane Dembele and Desire Doue proving crucial as France, fresh off a 5-0 Champions League final win over Inter Milan, started brightly.

The match, pitting the last two Nations League winners—Spain (2023) and France (2021)—lived up to its billing. Both teams had navigated penalty shootouts in the quarter-finals, defeating Croatia and the Netherlands, respectively. 

France’s Theo Hernandez struck the crossbar, and missed chances from Dembele and Rabiot hinted at their early dominance, but Spain’s clinical finishing shifted momentum.

The seven-goal second half, with Spain nearly squandering 4-0 and 5-1 leads, ensured this rollercoaster clash will be remembered as a classic, showcasing both teams’ attacking prowess and resilience in a contest that captivated fans.

Source: BBC

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