Lamine Yamal, the teenage sensation from Barcelona, scored twice and earned a penalty in a sensational performance as Spain overcame France 5-4 in a breathtaking UEFA Nations League semi-final clash. The 17-year-old forward, already touted as a potential Ballon d’Or contender, was instrumental in helping Spain race to a 4-0 and then 5-1 lead before France mounted a ferocious late comeback.
The electric contest in Stuttgart saw Spain’s attacking talents firing on all cylinders, with Nico Williams and Mikel Merino scoring early to take control. Yamal, fouled by Adrien Rabiot, converted the resulting penalty with confidence before setting the stage for a fourth from Pedri and later slotting home Spain’s fifth goal with a cool low finish.
With this dazzling display, Yamal now boasts six goals for Spain and 25 for club side Barcelona, reinforcing his rising stardom on the global stage. Speaking after the match, coach Luis de la Fuente praised his team’s resilience: “I enjoy suffering. This was a game of moments – and we made ours count.”
France’s Furious Fightback Falls Just Short
France, the 2021 Nations League winners and 2024 World Cup runners-up, were stunned by Spain’s clinical start but showed their championship mettle by nearly turning the match on its head in the dying moments. Trailing 5-1 with just over ten minutes to play, Didier Deschamps’ men rallied with three goals that left Spain hanging on for dear life.
Kylian Mbappé’s penalty initially offered a glimmer of hope, but it was debutant Rayan Cherki who truly ignited the comeback. The 21-year-old Lyon attacker scored a stunning volley from outside the box before supplying an assist for Randal Kolo Muani’s injury-time header, which brought the scoreline to 5-4. Earlier, Dani Vivian’s own goal had also brought France within striking distance.
Despite falling short, France’s attacking intent was clear throughout, with Ousmane Dembélé hitting the post and young Desire Doue troubling the Spanish defence. “We weren’t consistent for 90 minutes,” said Mbappé post-match, “but we showed improvement. It’s not all negative.”
A Footballing Classic: Nations League at Its Best
The encounter was a treat for football fans worldwide and will go down as one of the greatest matches in UEFA Nations League history. The two European heavyweights produced an attacking masterclass, combining for 40 shots, 17 on target, and nine goals in a drama-filled contest.
The match began with a high tempo, as France tested Unai Simón early through efforts from Dembele and Doue. However, Spain were ruthless in transition. Nico Williams blasted the opener into the roof of the net before Mikel Merino doubled the lead moments later. Spain’s attacking verve was complemented by tactical precision – at least in the early stages.
Spain’s third, from the spot, and Pedri’s fourth after a delightful assist from Williams had fans and pundits raving. Even after the flurry of goals, Spain’s control seemed unshakable until Cherki entered the fray and almost shifted the script. “It was a crazy game,” admitted Merino. “Maybe not the best for coaches, but one for the fans to remember forever.”
Spain: The Team to Beat
With the win, Spain are now in the final of the Nations League and will face Portugal in Munich on Sunday. Having already won the 2022 edition and Euro 2024, Spain are on course for a remarkable UEFA treble and have positioned themselves as strong favourites heading into next summer’s World Cup.
The average age of Luis de la Fuente’s starting lineup was just 24, with no player over the age of 28. Yamal and Williams were electric on the wings, Pedri and Merino controlled the midfield, and even goalkeeper Unai Simón, despite conceding four, delivered a solid performance with six key saves.
Spanish journalist Guillem Balague summed up the team’s identity: “They represent the predominant model of our times – intelligent, creative, and hard-working. This Spain team believes it can beat anyone and is showing that consistently.” While their defence will raise questions, their ability to dominate and create magic is unquestioned.
Deschamps: ‘No Finger-Pointing, Just Lessons Learned’
Despite the heartbreak, France head coach Didier Deschamps struck a reflective tone in the aftermath. While his side showed incredible character to almost force extra time, he acknowledged defensive shortcomings but stopped short of blaming individuals.
“There were mitigating circumstances,” Deschamps said, noting the experimental nature of his backline, including debutant Pierre Kalulu and returning Clement Lenglet. “Spain have this capability to be very efficient. We’ll learn from this and move forward.”
France, who will face Germany in the third-place playoff, had more shots and more efforts on target than Spain. Debutant Cherki, in particular, was a bright spark, and with Mbappé, Dembele, and Doue still in the fold, France’s attacking future remains bright.
“In the end, it was about moments,” said Deschamps. “Spain made the most of theirs. But this is a lesson in the fine margins of international football.”
Final: Spain 5–4 France
Next up:
Final: Spain vs Portugal – Sunday, Munich
Third-place Playoff: France vs Germany – Saturday, Stuttgart
