Spain is in the Nations League final. © ANSA / RONALD WITTEK

Goal party against France: Spain storms into the final

With power, finesse and the exceptional talent of Lamine Yamal: European champions Spain stormed into the final of the Nations League with a spectacular victory against runners-up France – but even had to tremble briefly at the very end.

June 05, 2025

From: dpa

Another win against Portugal would secure the defending of the title for coach Luis de la Fuente's men, who beat France 5-4, on Sunday (21.00:15.00 p.m.) in Munich and complete the European treble consisting of the Nations League, the European Championship, and the Nations League. A few hours earlier (XNUMX:XNUMX p.m.), France will face the German national team, who, after their disappointing semifinal exit in the third-place match in Stuttgart, will at least be aiming for a positive conclusion to their home tournament.

Nico Williams (22nd minute) and Mikel Merino (25th) scored early for the Spaniards in a fast-paced and highly entertaining match. After the break, brilliant double goalscorer Yamal (54th, penalty/67th) and Pedri (55th) added more goals in front of a sold-out Stuttgart Arena.

France wakes up too late

Kylian Mbappé also scored for France, scoring from the penalty spot (59th minute), and substitute Rayan Cherki (79th minute). An own goal by Spain's Daniel Vivian (84th minute) and a late goal by Randal Kolo Muani (90th minute +3) rounded off the memorable nine-goal spectacle, which almost turned the game around in the end.

Kylian Mbappé scored from the spot. © ANSA / RONALD WITTEK

The match started briskly. Spain initially had more possession, while France had the better chances. However, the highly praised attack of the Équipe Tricolore, featuring Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé, Désiré Doué, and Michael Olise, lacked precision at times, luck at others—and, overall, efficiency for long stretches. Spain goalkeeper Unai Simón was on hand several times. However, even the captain between the Iberians' posts could have done nothing to stop a shot from Théo Hernández that hit the crossbar (12').

Spain conjures

And what about Spain's attack around Yamal? The 17-year-old from FC Barcelona showed off his great technical ability on several occasions. However, other heroes of the European Championship in summer 2024 were responsible for at least the first goals. Mikel Oyarzabal, scorer of the winning goal in the 2-1 final victory against England, provided the assists for Spain's first two goals. First, he set up Williams, who hammered the ball into the roof of the net. Then, he beautifully lifted the ball into the path of Merino, who doubled the lead with a well-placed low shot.

The man of the match: Yamine Lamal © ANSA / ANNA SZILAGYI

After the break, things got tough for the French. First, Yamal converted a penalty conceded by Adrien Rabiot, then Pedri scored with a superb lob after a fine move to make it 4-0. These were goals reminiscent of the illustrious era of the crowned generation led by Xavi Hernández and Andrés Iniesta.

Mbappé also scored from the penalty spot after a foul by Pedro Porro. Shortly afterward, the team of Didier Deschamps, who is leaving after the 2026 World Cup, suffered another blow. Yamal scored with a toe-kick and completed his brace.

It will be exciting

Cherki rewarded France's morale with another goal. After an own goal by substitute Vivian, the game even became more tense. Kolo Muani reduced the deficit to 4:5 in stoppage time, but it wasn't enough to equalize. In the end, it was the Spaniards who celebrated again.

Nations League, semi-finals:

Spain – France 5:4
Goals: 1-0 Williams (22'), 2-0 Merino (25'), 3-0 penalty Yamal (54'), 4-0 Pedri (55'), 4-1 penalty Mbappe (59'), 5-1 Yamal (57'), 5-2 Cherki (79'), 5-3 own goal Vivian (84'), 5-4 Kolo Muani (90+3')