Spain have made it through to a second consecutive UEFA Nations League final after a 5-3 victory over France in their semi-final clash in Stuttgart.
Match Report
There may not have been an early goal at the MHPArena, but the anticipatory sounds of awe - outside of the boos aimed at Marc Cucurella - offer an insight into how entertaining it was.
That was best encapsulated by Theo Hernandez, who hit one shot over, had an effort blocked and struck the crossbar in addition to deflecting a Lamine Yamal shot wide inside the opening 12 minutes.
Nico Williams and Désiré Doué both cut inside before seeing their respective curling efforts saved, before Williams went on the outside and hit a shot that was awkwardly stopped by Mike Maignan.
Williams made no mistake from his third opportunity, as Mikel Oyarzabal held off Ibrahima Konate and rolled the ball towards the winger for him to smash it past Maignan to open the scoring in the 22nd minute.
Oyarzabal was the creator again just three minutes later, playing a one-two with Mikel Merino to release the midfielder, who applied a cool finish. Unai Simon did well to deny Doue and Kylian Mbappe despite being unsighted on both occasions as France looked to respond, and the Spanish goalkeeper then got down to palm away Ousmane Dembele’s strike.
La Roja thought they had a third from a brilliantly inventive free-kick routine before the break, but Dean Huijsen’s volley was ruled out due to a marginal offside call.
Spain - France match statsFlashscore
Despite a promising start in the second half, Les Bleus found themselves in trouble yet again when Adrien Rabiot brought Yamal down to concede a penalty, which the winger converted by sending Maignan the wrong way.
Almost immediately after, Pedri played the ball to Williams, and got it back from the winger before effortlessly beating Maignan to stretch La Roja’s advantage to four.
As France stared humiliation in the face, Mbappe won a penalty from Pedro Porro, and fooled Simon from the spot-kick to restore a glimmer of hope for his side.
Doue then came agonisingly close to a French second, but they were dismantled by Yamal again as he held off Clement Lenglet and poked the ball past Maignan for his side’s fifth of the night.
There was a moment for Rayan Cherki to savour as he scored a memorable debut goal with an unstoppable strike. Five minutes later, he slipped the ball through for Malo Gusto to deliver a cross that Dani Vivian diverted into his own net.
Randal Kolo Muani then headed home from Cherki’s cross to set off Spanish nerves, but La Roja survived to extend their unbeaten record to 19 matches in all competitions, and 12 in the UNL to secure their place in the final, where they will face Portugal.
A third-place play-off against Germany awaits Les Bleus, who were also beaten by Spain in the UEFA European Championship semi-final last year.
Data Debrief: Spain haunt France once more
Only twice have France conceded two goals in the opening half an hour of matches under Deschamps, and Spain have been responsible for both occasions, also doing so in their Euro 2024 semi-final.
And it is the first time Les Bleus have conceded five goals in a single game since March 12, 1969 against England (5-0).
Spain, meanwhile, have scored at least three goals against France for the first time in official competition, and it is the first time they have scored five since June 1949 in a friendly in Paris (5-1).
France valiantly fought back and almost forced extra-time, but they could not end La Roja's winning streak. Luis de la Fuente's side have not lost since March 2023, when they were beaten 2-0 by Scotland in qualifying for Euro 2024.
Match Events
0' The match is about to start!
1' Highlight from Spain vs France
4' First chance of the game as Theo drives a shot over from 20 yards
7' Dembele plays it right to Mbappe in space in the box but his shot is saved
9' Match Event for Spain vs France
12' CLOSE! Theo's effort from the edge of the box strikes the crossbar
18' Desire Doue cuts in but his effort is saved by Unai Simon
20' Nico Williams has a shot saved by Mike Maignan down low
22' GOAL! Oyarzabal assists Nico Williams to open the scoring! Spain 1-0 France
25' 2 goals in 3 minutes! Merino doubles the lead from Oyarzabal! Spain 2-0 France
31' Doue blasts in a shot from the edge of the box which Simon gets down low to save
35' Yamal picks up a yellow card as he hacks down Desire Doue from behind
37' Dembele hits a shot which is saved down low one handed by Unai Simon
43' Dembele is offside as he runs onto Kone's reverse ball before having a shot
45' Huijsen hooks in a fine volley but it's disallowed for offside
46' Dembele wriggles his way free on the edge of the box but his shot is saved again
46' Lamine Yamal picks out Mikel Oyarzabal, whose shot is saved
49' Match Event for Spain vs France
54' Penalty Goal! Yamal steps up and casually scores the goal! Spain 3-0 France
55' GOAL! Pedri knocks the ball past Mike Maignan for a fourth! Spain 4-0 France
60' Penalty Goal! Mbappe pulls one back for visitors! Spain 4-1 France
65' Doue tries to bend the ball in the far corner but it goes just wide
67' GOAL! Yamal takes it past Lenglet and gets his second goal! Spain 5-1 France
73' CLOSE! Dembele hits the post from an almost impossible angle
78' Spain gift Mbappe a chance to score but it's not his best effort and Simon saves
80' GOAL! Cherki hits a stunning volley from outside the box! Spain 5-2 France
84' Theo booked for fouling Yamal near the centre circle after his tricky footwork
85' OWN GOAL! Vivian turns Gusto's low cross into his own net! Spain 5-3 France
89' Highlight from Spain vs France
92' GOAL! Kolo Muani powers in a header from Cherki's cross! Spain 5-4 France
Line-ups
Spain XI: Le Normand, Merino, Unai Simón, Cucurella, Oyarzabal, Martín Zubimendi, Porro, Pedri, Nico Williams, Dean Huijsen, Yamal
Subs: Isco, Morata, Grimaldo, Álex Remiro, David Raya, Fabian Ruiz, Olmo, Dani Vivian, Álex Baena, Óscar Mingueza, Yeremy, Gavi, Fermín López, Samu Aghehowa, Cubarsi
France XI: Maignan, Lenglet, Rabiot, Dembele, Theo, Mbappe, Konate, Kalulu, Manu Koné, Olise, Doue
Subs: Digne, Brice Samba, Lucas, Thuram, Pavard, Guendouzi, Tchouameni, Muani, Loïc Badé, Cherki, Lucas Chevalier, Gusto, Barcola, Zaire-Emery
dougiefresh
514
Lamine Yamal for club and country this season: 🏟️ 57 games played ⚽ 48 goal contributions Ballon d'Or? 👀
Baron978
341
I really don't know why this man takes off pedri,this will show you how important pedri is
Nam_So
318
This is where Balon Dor winner stands out against contenders
Davichi
312
UCL best player and young player awardees dominated by Lamine Yamal. 😂😂🤣🙊
N0_N0NsENSE
264
If "Talk the talk, walk the walk" had a face.
dougiefresh
216
A special performance from a special player ✨ Lamine Yamal 😮💨
dougiefresh
203
🗣️ "If they want to decide the Ballon d'Or on Thursday, then so be it." He's got the skills of Messi and the mentality of Ronaldo. The football world really isn't ready.
masibowalker
188
this guy changed the game
dougiefresh
170
🇪🇸 Nico Williams vs. France: ⚽️ 1 goal 🎯 1 assist 🔑 1 key pass 😳 1 big chance created 🥅 3 shots on target ⚔️ 6 recoveries ⭐️ 8.3 match rating Top performance! 🔥❤️
Sizbeiloy
156
Spain showed France what the champions League final would have been.
Musah5
133
Gud performance lol haters
FootballGoat1
114
Rabiot tried his best to stop Yamal 😂 These two have not done yet😂
Solomonkkk
112
Yamal for balon dor ❤️❤️🔥🔥🔥🔥
Adunoluwayemi
91
Yamal is the weapon fashioned against Mbappe
Emmanuel4jesus12
88
A moment of silence for those who miss this match
championon
32
Gif here. Like me: http://www.goalgif.xyz/v2/live/matchGifs?match_id=54104679&language=en
Notabckm
25
UCL best player and young player awardees dominated by Lamine Yamal. 😂😂🤣🙊
This shows who the real ballondor winner should be
Davichi
19
I really don't know why this man takes off pedri,this will show you how important pedri is
He needed rest. Consider how many games these guys have played all season.
Naga_Manu
16
The debate didn’t even last a week.😂
Suwadopsz
16
Lamine Yamal for club and country this season: 🏟️ 57 games played ⚽ 48 goal contributions Ballon d'Or? 👀
[image]
actually, Lamine Yamal can really play. he deserve ballon d'or guys
Cotaiklrst
16
Spain showed France what the champions League final would have been.
i swear .... psg prayers were answered when Barcelona got eliminated if not psg would have got no ucl
seadlpruy
15
He needed rest. Consider how many games these guys have played all season.
but it's risky, pedri holds the ball
Ayjazz1997
13
Mbappe lose to Yamal 7 times in a row 🤣🤣🤣🤣 Yamal is a Little Magician ♥️
Suah-K-FCB
12
Why No one is talking about Him💯💯💯
clovis75
12
I feel pity for Mbappé 😂😂 France wore a white jersey 🤦 Lamine thought it was Real Madrid
Ibrahim626
12
🚨 BREAKING: Lamine Yamal is currently the favourite to win the Ballon D’or 2025.🙌😂😂😂
Pass2Pogba
12
I really don't know why this man takes off pedri,this will show you how important pedri is
cuz he just came back from injury.. like you wouldn't know if u aren't even his fan I know. especially with 4 goals lead.. it's normal
rewacknou
11
Spain showed France what the champions League final would have been.
so true Barca deserved to be in the final
Gifted0697
11
Fool. Why didn’t Yamal win the champions league? Or Nations league is bigger than champions league now?
Why didn't Dembele win the simple nations league also since he is capable of winning the ucl 🤣🤣
Naga_Manu
11
If this 17 years old young boy named Yamal wins the Ballon d'Or, it will be an insult to the football community. However, the way he performed tonight, he deserves it.♥️
patoski
10
this guy changed the game
[image]
lies removing pedri nd Nico especially pedri changed the game
itz_me_ojei
10
Lamine Yamal posted a pic of his goal vs. France from last year’s Euros before tonight’s game… He then proceeded to bag two more goals against them 😮💨🥶
Gunnerneko
10
This Kid is the best player in the world...End of story🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Dakato
10
I told you not to wear white jersey since Mbappe is there Lamine Yama will think it's real Madrid 🤣🤣🤣
Juobcikos
10
This is where Balon Dor winner stands out against contenders
[image]
I agree with you💥💥
Benxavi10
8
Legend has it that Yamal has killed all the descendants of Ronaldo now he's gonna finish their grandparent ( Ronaldo) 😂😂
Suah-K-FCB
9
In all competition Mbappe had refuse to eliminate Lamine
Plantaris
9
Williams is better than Lamine
I love how all the comparison is about Yamal. it goes to show he is the best...
nukbcdlprt
9
They were bullying Messi because GOAT was too Humble and doesn't run his mouth like Ronaldo, now they will have to deal with Lamine who says it and delivers 😂 The New GOAT
Kampuchea
9
Yamal cooked DEMBELE, DOUE and MBAPPE at the same time
RonaldDinho_10
9
because of a nation's league match? ok bud. 👍
where was dembulance in this nations league match
itz_me_ojei
9
SPAIN CONTINUES TO DOMINATE! 🇪🇸 Their second big semifinal win against France in a row 😤
KasongoWaKenya
9
Lamin Yamal>>Dembele/ Mbappe/Doue No one will ever turn him tv on because they want to watch Mbappe, Dembele or Desire Doue play football, but thousands of people turn their tv on because just to watch Lamine Yamal.
AFerumcG2400
9
Goals?
Goals don't win the Ballon d'Or clown
itz_me_ojei
9
Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams vs. France: Yamal ⚽ ⚽ Williams ⚽ 🎯 This Spain duo continues to exceed expectations 🔥
Mamabcdkns
8
because of a nation's league match? ok bud. 👍
Was more entertaining than ucl final BY A MILE
Naga_Manu
7
If Spain football team was a car.[Crylaugh]
Alxsm
7
be careful Spain you guys are going to play with this team 😂
Loyalmajesty
8
This na Lamine Yamal and Mbappe beef. Club and country...
itz_me_ojei
7
In an interview before Spain vs. France, Lamine Yamal said "If people want to play on Thursday, we'll play on Thursday," when asked who he'd vote for as the next Ballon d'Or winner, hinting at going toe-to-toe with one of the favourites Ousmane Dembélé. Thursday came... 👀