Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams starred as Spain defeated France 5-4 in a thrilling UEFA Nations League semi-final clash on Thursday in Stuttgart, securing a blockbuster final against Portugal.
Yamal netted a brace while Williams scored once and provided an assist, slicing through France’s vulnerable defence with ease. Mikel Merino and Pedri also found the back of the net as La Roja continued their dominant run in international football, having won Euro 2024 just a year ago.
Spain stormed to a 5-1 lead before a late French resurgence added tension to the closing moments. Kylian Mbappé scored from the spot, followed by goals from Rayan Cherki, a Daniel Vivian own goal, and a stoppage-time strike by Randal Kolo Muani, but the comeback proved too little, too late.
Yamal, still only 17, praised his teammates after the win. “It was a great game – at the end it was a little too close, but we played very well. We deserved to win,” he said.
Spain will now face Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal in Sunday’s final in Munich, while France meets hosts Germany in the third-place playoff earlier that day.
Mikel Merino described the match as “crazy,” telling DAZN, “Not the best game for coaches—nobody wants to concede so many goals—but an amazing game for the fans.”
First-half Fireworks
France began brightly, pushing through Ousmane Dembélé down the right, with Mbappé squandering an early one-on-one chance. Spain responded clinically. In the 22nd minute, Yamal fed Oyarzabal, who set up Williams for a thunderous opener.
Three minutes later, Merino doubled the lead, racing onto Oyarzabal’s deft chip to beat Mike Maignan.
France had multiple chances through Dembélé but were repeatedly denied by Unai Simón. Spain thought they had a third just before halftime from a cleverly rehearsed free-kick routine, but Huijsen’s finish was ruled out for offside.
Second-half Surge
Yamal earned and converted a penalty early in the second half, coolly scoring Spain’s third. Seconds later, Williams teed up Pedri for a fourth.
Although Mbappé pulled one back from the spot, Yamal responded with his second of the night to make it 5-2 with 20 minutes left.
Spain made several substitutions as they looked ahead to the final, and the momentum shifted. Cherki’s long-range stunner, a deflected own goal, and a late Kolo Muani finish brought France within one, but Spain ultimately held firm.
The win cements Spain’s position as a force in international football, blending youthful flair with tactical discipline as they seek to add the Nations League title to their Euro 2024 triumph.
