Spain defeated France 5: 4 in a spectacular semi -finals of the Nations League and meets Portugal in the final.
Spain won 5: 4 (2-0) in Stuttgart against France on Sunday (9 p.m.) in Munich against Portugal in the final for the Nations League. Nico Williams (22nd), Mikel Merino (25th), twice Lamine Yamal (54./Foulelfmeter, 67.) and Pedri (55th) scored the goals for Spain. Kylian Mbappé (59.), Rayan Cherki (79th) and Randal Kolo Muani (90.+4) met for France, who also benefited from an own goal by the Spaniard Daniel Vivian (84.).
France is the opponent of the German team in the game for third place on Sunday (6 p.m.). Germany had lost 1-2 in the other semi -finals against Portugal.
“It was a great game. In the end it was a bit scarce, but we did it very well”said Yamal: “We deservedly won.”
Merino meets and reminds of his father again
France had the better start and the first degrees. The best chance was for Theo Hernández, who only hit the crossbar on his left shot (12th). Spain, however, took the lead: Lamine Yamal alluded from right Mikel Oyarzabal, who presented Nico Williams the ball – Williams scored from ten meters (22nd).
Spain increased a little later: Mikel Merino played with Oyarzabal Doppelpass, Merino used the gap himself and scored in one-on-one against France’s goalkeeper Mike Maignan (25th). Just like at the European Championship quarter-final against Germany in Stuttgart, Merino cheered with a run around the corner flag-he reminded of his father Angel Merino’s cheers, who had met VfB Stuttgart in the UEFA Cup for Osasuna in 1991.
Spain’s Mikel Merino cheers on the corner flag
Spain also scored a gate worth seeing, but it did not count due to a narrow offside position by the goal scorer Dean Huijsen (44.).
Spain leads 5: 1 – and still in Difficulties
After the restart, Spain quickly made it clear that the game would no longer get a turn. Adrien Rabiot Foult Lamine Yamal, who scored the due penalty into the goal (54.). Pedri played himself into the penalty area in conjunction with Williams, then he put the ball in front of and turned 4: 0 (55.). France was then awarded a penalty that Kylian Mbappé converted (59.). But a little later Yamal scored for the second time (67th), the 5: 1 left no doubt anymore.
Because then France came back: Ousmane Dembélé failed on the post (72nd), but Rayan Cherki then achieved a dream goal (79.). Spain Daniel Vivian met in his own goal (84th), France was back on cloth. Randal Kolo Muani still scored the 5: 4 (90.+4) – too late for a successful catch -up.
Spain as the first team can be the National League title defend
Spain is now in a final of the Nations League for the third time. The team could be the first to defend the title. So far, the Nations League has been held three times. The previous end games:
- 2022/23: Croatia – Spain 0: 0 n. V., 4: 5 i. E. (in the Netherlands)
- 2020/21: Spain – France 1: 2 (in Italy)
- 2018/19: Portugal – Netherlands 1-0 (in Portugal)
The rest of the 2025 international year will determine the qualification for the 2026 World Cup. The Nations League 2026/27 begins in autumn. For the first time in autumn, only in two instead of three international play windows will be played, one of which was extended to four games. Germany then plays again in League A, according to the UEFA, the drawing of the groups takes place in early 2026.
The UEFA Nations League Cup