Nine goals and a shining Yamal: Spain beat France in a Nations League semifinal thriller

First half: dominance and destruction

By the 25th minute, it was already 2-0. Nico Williams opened the scoring after a brilliant combination, finishing with his left foot. Three minutes later, Mikel Merino doubled the lead — assisted again by Oyarzabal. The French were stunned. Theo Hernandez hit the crossbar, Dembele and Doué created chances — but couldn’t convert.

Toward the end of the half, Spain nearly made it 3-0, but Heuysen’s goal was ruled out for offside.

Yamal explodes

The second half was Lamine Yamal’s stage. In the 54th minute, he won a penalty and calmly converted it himself — 3-0. One minute later, Pedri made it 4-0. Spain’s bench erupted with emotion.

France on the brink of humiliation. Though Mbappe pulled one back from the spot (4-1), ten minutes later Yamal struck again with a solo run and perfect finish — 5-1.

France’s late surge

In the 79th minute, France finally woke up. Substitute Rayan Cherki scored a stunning volley — 5-2. Then came an own goal by Vivian — 5-3. In stoppage time, Kolo Muani finished Cherki’s cross — 5-4.

But Simon secured the final ball. Spain are in the final.

A new Spanish style

Luis de la Fuente’s team is no longer tiki-taka. It’s vertical, daring, and dynamic football. More risk, more speed, and more individual brilliance. Lamine Yamal, Pedri, Nico Williams — the attack of the future.

Final: Spain vs Portugal

Now awaits a final dubbed “a clash of eras.” Cristiano Ronaldo — a European football legend — will face Lamine Yamal, a teenage star already making history. Their duel is both symbolic and very real.

France to play for bronze

France will face Germany for third place. But after a start like this, it’s small consolation. Didier Deschamps’ team didn’t wake up in time — and paid the price.

Stuttgart gave us more than football — it gave us the rise of a new star. Lamine Yamal is no longer the future, but the present leader of Spain. And the final vs Portugal could be his ultimate triumph.