Spain Beat France 5-4 in Thrilling Nations League Semifinal
Spain are through to the UEFA Nations League final after beating France 5-4 in a thrilling match at Stuttgart Arena. The defending champions will now face Portugal in an all-Iberian final on Sunday.
Spain made a fast start and led 4-0 at one point, but France came close to a dramatic comeback in the second half.
Nico Williams and Mikel Merino scored early goals to give Spain a 2-0 lead in the first 25 minutes. Teenager Lamine Yamal made it 3-0 from the penalty spot early in the second half. Just a minute later, Pedri scored a beautiful goal to put Spain 4-0 up.
France got one back through a Kylian Mbappé penalty, but Yamal scored again in the 67th minute to make it 5-1. It was a brilliant performance by the 17-year-old star.
France refused to give up. Rayan Cherki scored a stunning goal, then a Spain own goal by Dani Vivian and a finish from Randal Kolo Muani made it 5-4 with just minutes to go. But Spain held on to reach the final.
France will now play Germany in the third-place match, also on Sunday.
Spain are the current Nations League champions, having won in 2023. Portugal won the first edition in 2019, and France were champions in 2021.
