Seventeen-year-old sensation Lamine Yamal stole the spotlight with a brace as Spain triumphed 5-4 over France in a UEFA Nations League semifinal thriller on Thursday. The match, held in Stuttgart, saw Spain dominate early before surviving a late French resurgence to secure a spot in Sunday's final against Portugal.
A Night of Young Stars
Yamal, already tipped as a future Ballon d'Or contender, outshone France's Desire Doue and Ousmane Dembele. Spain raced to a 5-1 lead by the 60th minute, with Yamal converting a penalty and capping his performance with a clinical finish. Nico Williams, Mikel Merino, and Pedri also contributed goals in a display of Spain's attacking depth.
French Fightback Falls Short
France, fatigued after Paris Saint-Germain's recent UEFA Champions League campaign, mounted a dramatic late comeback. Substitute Rayan Cherki scored on his debut, while Kylian Mbappe and Randal Kolo Muani added goals to narrow the gap. Spanish defender Daniel Vivian's own goal in stoppage time heightened tension before the final whistle.
Historic Scoring Feat
The nine-goal spectacle set a Nations League record, showcasing both teams' offensive firepower. Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon made crucial saves to preserve the lead, while France hit the crossbar through Theo Hernandez in a first-half chance that might have changed the game's trajectory.
"We played with courage but lost focus when victory seemed certain," Yamal told reporters post-match. "This experience will strengthen us for the final."
Spain now prepares to face Portugal, who defeated Germany 2-1 in Wednesday's semifinal, in a Sunday showdown that promises more continental drama.
