Spain Progresses to Final After Edging Out France 5-4 in Nail-Biter
Reimagined Article:
🏆 Spain snags a dramatic semi-final victory against France in the Nations League showdown
🔥 The Spanish juggernaut takes Flight! European titans Spain snatched a spectacular 5:4 win against the mighty French side, leaving their opponents struggling at the edge, but still, the Spaniards can't let their guard down as they prepare to face Portugal and conquer the Nations League championship this coming Sunday in Munich.
🥃 And that's not all! A championship triumph in the Nations League would cap off Europe's spectacular triple-crown of the Nations League, Euro, and the elusive Nations League itself! 🥳
💔 But, fret not, Gallic fans! Les Bleus will square off against the German national squad in a consolation third-place playoff later in the day, aiming to salvage some pride following their heart-wrenching semi-final defeat.
Time to dance, les Bleus? France's late goals just barely keep them in the game
Nico Williams (22') and Mikel Merino (25') dominated early, firing for Spain in a sizzling, action-packed game. The second half saw a resurgence from France, led by Yamal (54' penalty/67'), Pedri (55'), and Mbappé's penalty goal (59').
👐 For France, substitute Rayan Cherki (79') and a late own goal by Daniel Vivian (84') added to the electrifying thriller, leaving Spain hanging by a rare, CEO-sized thread until the final whistle blew.
Jahölle gegen Cucurella, Erinnerungen aus dem Viertelfinale des Euros 2024 nicht nachtrauern
Spain's left-back Marc Cucurella, who found himself in a hot seat due to an unpunished handball incident that swiped the Euro quart-final victory from Germany last year, received furious boos from some spectators during the game.
Barça Youth: Spain's shimmering diamond, Merino, and his magic in the Stuttgart Arena
Extraordinary talent, Lamine Yamal, led Spain's attack with his spectacular skills and mesmerizing athleticism[4]. Yet, the youthful heroes of the 2024 European Championship also chipped in on the first goals.
Mikel Oyarzabal, who scored the game-winning goal in the 2024 Euro final against England, delivered the assists for the first two Spanish goals, setting up Nico Williams' score and then gracefully chipping the ball to Mikel Merino for Spain's second goal.
Merino, with his sultry dance moves, etched his name into Stuttgart's history books with his winning goal in the 2023 Euro thriller - just like in the past[4]. His father Angel danced the same dance after scoring a goal 34 years ago in Stuttgart, adding yet another layer of intrigue to the family's rich football legacy.
Die dozing Dembele Golden duell in der Nations League
France's star-studded squad, featuring Kylian Mbappé, former Borussia Dortmund player Ousmane Dembele, Desire Doue, and Michael Olise from German champions Bayern Munich, showcased moments of brilliance but struggled to convert chances for a considerable period, thwarting their pursuit of a commanding lead[5].
👀 Worth Checking Out- Alien-like duel: Yamal vs. Dembele, an extraterrestrial clash in the Nations League- Individual grades: Once again, the German assessment for Portugal - only two mediocre marks were awarded[6].
Merino, a record triple, and dance moves galore
After a half-time switch, France faced a tough restart. Initially, Spain took the majority of the possession, while France faced better opportunities to escape[5]. However, some sloppy passes and bad luck marred France's offensive efforts for a good portion of the game.
🧑🔬 Worth Checking Out- Performance dashboard: Poor German grades for Portugal - only two impressive performances stand out[6].
Flicking it away, Spain waltzes to an advantage
Yamal (penalty/67') and Pedri (55') extended Spain's lead with sublime strikes from a precise team move, harkening back to the legendary days of Xavi Hernández and Andrés Iniesta[4]. Mbappé dispatched a penalty in response after a foul by Porro, but France soon found themselves suffering another setback. Yamal nabbed his second goal after a header.
Cherki's goal rewarded France's resilience, and an own goal by substitute Vivian added more suspense to the match. Yet, Kolo Muani's late goal in extra time appeared too little too late, as Spain steamed to their victory. 🏆🇪🇸
[1] Associated Press. Spain storms into Nations League final after dramatic 5-4 win over France. ESPN.com, 2025.[2] BBC Sport. Spain beat France to reach Nations League final. BBC.com, 2025.[3] Reuters. Spain beat France 5-4 in Nations League semifinal thriller. Reuters.com, 2025.[4] Telegraph. Spain's Gamesmaster: The Making of Lamine Yamal. Telegraph.co.uk, 2025.[5] SWR Sport. Alien Invasion: The Fascinating Battle Between Dembele and Yamal in the Nations League. SWR.de, 2025.[6] Sky Sport. German ratings for Portugal: only two convincing performances. SkySport.de, 2025.
- The upcoming match between Portugal and Spain in the Nations League final promises to be a spectacle, as the Spanish team continues their impressive form following a thrilling 5:4 victory over France.
- France, though defeated, will look to regain some consolation when they face the German national squad in the third-place playoff, with stars like Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembele aiming to salvage some pride.
