Spain and France contest in the semi-final of the Nations League 2025, unfolding live on stage
Down and Dirty: Spain takes on France in a UEFA Nations League semifinal rematch at the Mercedes-Benz Arena on Thursday. Here's the skinny on what you can expect from this tantalizing matchup.
The confirmed lineups are as follows:
Spain: Unai Simón, Pedro Porro, Le Normand, Huijsen, Cucurella; Zubimendi, Mikel Merino, Pedri; Lamine Yamal, Nico Williams, and Oyarzabal.
France: Maignan, Kalulu, Lenglet, Konaté, Theo Hernandez; Rabiot, Koné, Dembélé, Olise, Mbappé, and Doué.
The showdown opened with both teams holding their ground, albeit France edging possession in the initial stages. Nevertheless, Spain managed to take the surprising lead in the 22nd minute when Nico Williams found the back of the net, with Oyarzabal sealing the deal with a goal three minutes later. France, despite mounting pressure, found themselves up against an inspired Unai Simón. The game ended 2-0 at half-time, with Spain edging closer to a UEFA Nations League berth.
Wanting more than a history lesson? Look no further. This will be the 38th encounter between the two powerhouses, with Spain currently leading the overall record with 17 wins, 13 losses, and 7 draws. However, France boasts a better record in official matches, including their victory in the 2021 UEFA Nations League final and Spain's win in the Euro 2024 semifinals.
Get ready for a firecracker of a match with Lamine Yamal and Isco Alarcón setting the tone for Spain, along with stars like Fabián Ruiz and Pedro Porro. On the French side, expect excitement from Mbappé, Olise, and Barcola on the wings, and Champions League winners, Déziré Doué and Ousmane Dembélé.
Trouble brewing ahead for Spain? The defending champs will be without Rodrigo Hernández and Dani Carvajal, who are sidelined by injuries.
Fun facts: Spain won a dramatic quarterfinal against the Netherlands on penalties to secure their spot in the semis, while France needed penalties to advance past Croatia after coming back from a 2-0 deficit in the first leg. Bear in mind, Spain handed France their only defeat of the 2021 UEFA Nations League final.
Now you’re all caught up on the lowdown of this highly-anticipated semifinal showdown. Get ready for Spain vs France, it's gonna be lit! 🔥🔥🔥
Enrichment Data (Incorporated Sparingly):
Recent Match
Spain's teenager sensation, Lamine Yamal, shone in their 5-4 victory against France during the UEFA Nations League semifinals on June 5, 2025[1][3].
Previous Encounters
- 2021 UEFA Nations League Final: France clinched the title by defeating Spain 2-1[2].
- Euro 2024 Semifinals: Spain was victorious over France, beating them 2-1[2].
Records and Context
- Spain's Recent Form: The defending champions have maintained an unbeaten run of 18 games since March 2024[2].
- France's Recent Performance: Despite a few setbacks in 2024, France remains one of the top-ranked teams worldwide[2].
The average age of the starting players for Spain in this tournament has been surprisingly low, with teenage sensation Lamine Yamal being one of them. Despite France's strong record in official matches, including their victory in the 2021 UEFA Nations League final and Spain's win in the Euro 2024 semifinals, the average performance of European-leagues players like Pedri and Oyarzabal have been impressive in this year's UEFA Nations League.
