A brilliant brace from teenage sensation Lamine Yamal helped Spain secure their place in the UEFA Nations League final after a remarkable 5-4 victory over France in a breathtaking semi-final on Thursday, June 5, 2025.
The 17-year-old Barcelona forward was instrumental as Spain surged into what seemed an insurmountable 5-1 lead, but a stunning late rally from France ensured a tense finish to an unforgettable encounter. Spain will now face Portugal in the final in Munich on Sunday, while France will play Germany for third place in Stuttgart.
Despite a bright start from France, who saw a Theo Hernandez strike hit the crossbar, Spain seized control with two goals in three minutes. Nico Williams opened the scoring with a powerful strike into the roof of the net, before Arsenal’s Mikel Merino doubled the lead when he was left unmarked to finish from the centre of the penalty area.
The match, which was 2-0 at halftime, exploded with seven goals in a remarkable second half. Yamal, a contender for this year’s Ballon d’Or, made it 3-0 from the penalty spot after being fouled by Adrien Rabiot, calmly sending goalkeeper Mike Maignan the wrong way. Pedri extended the lead to 4-0 from a Nico Williams assist before Kylian Mbappe pulled a goal back for France with a penalty of his own.
Yamal restored Spain’s four-goal advantage with a fine low strike for his second of the night, making the score 5-1. However, France mounted an extraordinary late comeback. Debutant Rayan Cherki scored a spectacular volley from 20 yards to make it 5-2. The pressure intensified when Spanish defender Dani Vivian turned the ball into his own net with six minutes remaining. Randal Kolo Muani then headed in Cherki’s cross in the third minute of injury time to bring the score to 5-4, but Spain managed to hold on for the victory.
The thrilling contest between the last two Nations League champions provided a stunning display of attacking football. Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon made several crucial saves throughout the match to deny a French side that included recent Champions League winners Ousmane Dembele and Desire Doue. The result now sets up a tantalizing final between Iberian rivals Spain and Portugal.
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