A Historic Nations League Semifinal Ends in a Thriller
Spain advanced to the UEFA Nations League final after edging France 5-4 in a dramatic semifinal on Thursday, a match that lived up to its billing as a clash of European powerhouses. The nine-goal spectacle—now the highest scoring game in the tournament’s history—was dominated by the brilliance of teenage sensation Lamine Yamal, who once again proved his worth on the biggest stage.
Yamal, just 17 years old, scored twice and played a decisive role throughout the match, showcasing the composure and creativity of a seasoned professional. With the win, Spain moves on to face Portugal in the final on June 8, setting up a fascinating generational showdown between Yamal and 40-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo.
Spain Takes Command Early
From the first whistle, Spain displayed the fluid attacking play that has defined its recent success. The breakthrough came in the 22nd minute, when Yamal beat his marker on the right flank and crossed into the box. Mikel Oyarzabal controlled the ball superbly before laying it off for Nico Williams, who hammered a shot into the top corner.
Just three minutes later, Spain doubled its lead. Again, Oyarzabal was the provider, this time setting up Mikel Merino, who calmly slotted home to give the Euro 2024 champions a 2-0 cushion heading into halftime.
After the break, Spain kept up the pressure. Yamal earned and converted a penalty in the 53rd minute, displaying impressive poise beyond his years. Only two minutes later, midfielder Pedri chipped in a stunning fourth goal, seemingly sealing the match at 4-0.
Yamal Leads While France Struggles to Respond
France, despite its attacking firepower, struggled to contain Spain’s momentum in the opening hour. Stars like Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé, and Désiré Doué were kept largely quiet as Spain dictated the rhythm of the game.
However, the tide began to shift in the 59th minute when Mbappé scored a penalty to reduce the deficit to 4-1. But any hopes of a full comeback were quickly dashed as Yamal struck again, latching onto a through ball to restore Spain’s four-goal advantage at 5-1.
Yamal’s performance not only underscored his Ballon d’Or potential but also highlighted his growing influence in Spain’s national setup. After the game, he remarked, “When two great teams like this play, you sometimes see a lot of goals. We wanted to make history. The greatest thing when you are winning is to keep winning.”
Late French Surge Falls Just Short
With the match seemingly out of reach, France mounted a stunning late rally. In the 79th minute, Rayan Cherki announced himself on the international stage with a brilliant volley, cutting the score to 5-2. An own-goal from Spain’s Dani Vivian moments later provided further momentum, and Randal Kolo Muani added a fourth in stoppage time to make it 5-4.
Despite the late surge, France ran out of time. A frustrated Mbappé reflected on the result, saying, “We had some bursts of play we haven’t had for a long time. But in just 10 minutes of the first half, we conceded two goals – and the same thing happened in the second half.”
Spain’s win sets up a tantalizing final against Portugal, where youth and experience will collide. All eyes will be on Yamal and Ronaldo, two generational icons at opposite stages of their careers, as the UEFA Nations League prepares to crown its newest champion.