Yamal Shines as Spain edge France 5-4 in Nations League thriller to set up final with Portugal

 



Spain’s teenage prodigy Lamine Yamal stole the spotlight as the reigning champions edged past France 5-4 in a pulsating UEFA Nations League semifinal on June 5. The dramatic encounter in Stuttgart’s MHP Arena saw the European champions storm into their third consecutive final, where they will meet neighbours Portugal in a much-anticipated Iberian showdown on Sunday.

Spain dazzled in the first half, displaying fluid, attacking football. Nico Williams opened the scoring with a clinical finish, followed just three minutes later by Mikel Merino, who tucked home a second after a sweeping team move and a pinpoint assist from Mikel Oyarzabal. It marked only the second time in Didier Deschamps’ 13-year reign that France had conceded twice within the first 30 minutes of a match.

The second half saw 17-year-old Yamal take centre stage. After being brought down in the box, the Barcelona starlet coolly converted from the penalty spot to make it 3-0. Moments later, his club teammate Pedri added a sublime fourth, seemingly putting the game out of France’s reach.

But the drama was far from over.

Kylian Mbappe pulled one back for France with a penalty of his own just before the hour mark. However, Yamal responded with his second of the night — a composed finish past Mike Maignan — to restore Spain’s three-goal cushion and cap a brilliant individual display.

France then mounted a breathtaking comeback attempt. Rayan Cherki smashed in a spectacular goal, Dani Vivian inadvertently turned the ball into his own net, and substitute Randal Kolo Muani added a fourth to bring the score to 5-4 with minutes remaining.

Despite the late scare, Spain held firm to seal their place in the final.

The match set several records: it became the first UEFA Nations League fixture to feature nine goals and marked the first time France had conceded five goals in a match since 1969.

Central to Luis de la Fuente’s attacking strategy were his explosive wingers — Williams and Yamal — whose pace and creativity repeatedly unpicked the French defence. While France created chances early, including a missed opportunity from Mbappe and a strike from Theo Hernandez that rattled the crossbar, they were ultimately left to rue their missed chances.

Yamal, who already boasts over 100 appearances for Barcelona despite being just 17, continues to build his case as a future Ballon d’Or contender. On a night filled with attacking brilliance and high-stakes drama, it was the teenager’s composure, flair, and double strike that truly lit up Stuttgart.


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