New Delhi: Spain registered a thrilling 5–4 victory over France in the second semifinal of the 2025 UEFA Nations League on Thursday to secure a spot in the final. The game was held at the MHPArena in Stuttgart and was marked by the early dominance of Spain and a spirited comeback of France, and it all concluded with a high-scoring edge-of-the-seat thriller.
Although the Frenchman began the game with aggression, as they pressed high and controlled the possession in the starting minutes. Still, Spain capitalised on their first opportunity in the 22nd minute when Nico Williams finished a swift counter-attack to put La Roja into the lead. Mikel Merino doubled the advantage only three minutes after the first goal, heading in a precise cross from Dani Carvajal.
The Spanish attack continued as 17-year-old sensation Lamine Yamal converted a penalty in the 54th minute, also in the process, becoming the youngest scorer in Nations League history. Only a minute later, Pedri added a fourth goal with a well-placed shot from the edge of the box, leaving France completely in the dark at 4-0 down.
🔚 #ESPFRA 90′ Min – 5:4 📋
👉 @SEFutbol im Finale – Congrats! 🙌🤩🎉
#NationsLeague | #ESP | @SpainIsFootball pic.twitter.com/UnkviMmuxy— UEFA Nations League DE (@EURO2024DE) June 5, 2025
Yamal in the semi-final against France 🥵#UNLPOTM | #NationsLeague pic.twitter.com/frsk2PuTfF
— UEFA EURO (@UEFAEURO) June 5, 2025
French comeback
France only managed to pull back after the half-time whistle as Kylian Mbappé scored a penalty in the 59th minute, following a handball in the Spanish box. The goal provided a little hope for the fans of Les Bleus as they saw their star player scoring their opener. However, Spain came back to the picture as they extended their lead to 5-1 in the 67th minute with Yamal scoring his second of the night, finishing off a flowing team move.
The coming minutes were dominated by France as they responded with determination, with Rayan Cherki reducing the deficit in the 79th minute with a curling shot from outside the area. Spanish defender Dani Vivian made an own goal in the 84th minute, which further closed the gap to 5-3.
As the game neared its conclusion, France intensified their efforts as Randal Kolo Muani headed in a cross from Ousmane Dembélé in the third minute of stoppage time, taking the score line to 5-4. Despite being under high pressure in the final moments, Spain’s defense worked wonders as their goalkeeper Unai Simón held firm to secure the victory.
Portugal vs Spain in the Nations League final 🤤
🇵🇹🆚🇪🇸 Sunday 8 June#NationsLeague pic.twitter.com/SgkFCfQkih
— UEFA EURO (@UEFAEURO) June 5, 2025
The win has propelled Spain into the Nations League final, in which they will face Portugal at the Allianz Arena in Munich on Sunday. The Portuguese confirmed a final berth after defeating Germany 2-1 in the first semifinal earlier on Thursday.
Lamine Yamal scored brace as Spain narrowly routed France in the second semifinal of 2025 UEFA National League at the MHPArena in Stuttgart on Thursday, to set up titular clash with Portugal. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
