Spain survived a exceptional late scare to beat France 5-4 in an unforgettable Nations League semi-final, reserving their place in Sunday’s ultimate.
It was a match that had the whole lot, breathtaking attacking play, defensive chaos, and a near-impossible comeback try.
Luis de la Fuente’s males had been merely irresistible for a lot of the evening, carving open France on so many occassions, notably from the irrepressible Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams.
But they had been made to sweat as a second-half surge from France turned a 5-1 scoreline right into a nail-biting end.
Spain raced right into a two-goal lead halfway by means of the primary half. Nico Williams opened the scoring within the twenty second minute with a strike into the roof of the online after sensible play from Yamal and Mikel Oyarzabal.
Simply three minutes later, Oyarzabal teed up Mikel Merino to double the benefit with a medical low end.
France, surprised and sluggish in response, had been fortunate to not concede a 3rd earlier than the break. However Spain’s dominance continued after the restart, and by the 67th minute they had been 5-1 forward.
Yamal, solely 17 however enjoying with a veteran’s calm, coolly slotted residence a penalty for Spain’s third after Adrien Rabiot introduced him down.
🏁 ¡¡𝗙𝗜𝗡𝗔𝗔𝗔𝗔𝗔𝗟 𝗗𝗘𝗟 𝗣𝗔𝗥𝗧𝗜𝗗𝗔𝗭𝗢𝗢𝗢𝗢𝗢𝗢!!
La @SEFutbol se lleva esta locura.
🇪🇸 🆚 🇫🇷 | 5-4 | 90+6’#VamosEspaña | #NationsLeague pic.twitter.com/7c6wq4bELD
— Selección Española Masculina de Fútbol (@SEFutbol) June 5, 2025
Pedri then added a fourth with a fragile end following a chic by means of ball from Williams, earlier than Yamal grabbed his second – and Spain’s fifth – with a neat end after Pedro Porro’s intelligent cross.
France lastly responded by means of a Kylian Mbappe penalty simply earlier than the hour mark, briefly hinting at a revival. Nonetheless, with the rating at 5-1 and half-hour left, few believed it was attainable.
Enter Rayan Cherki.
The Lyon playmaker sparked France into life with a surprising 25-yard volley to make it 5-2, earlier than his harmful cross was was the Spanish internet by defender Daniel Vivian within the 84th minute.
France smelled blood and poured ahead, and within the 93rd minute Cherki once more dazzled, delivering a pinpoint cross for Randal Kolo Muani to go residence, lowering the deficit to 5-4. From 5-1 down, France had been inside touching distance.
However Spain held on.
Regardless of a frantic ultimate jiffy, De la Fuente’s aspect managed to climate the late storm, confirming a spot within the ultimate and additional underlining their credentials as Europe’s most fun attacking pressure.
For France and Didier Deschamps, it is going to be an evening of painful reflection. Their defensive frailty was brutally uncovered, although the combating spirit proven within the ultimate quarter will supply some solace.
Randal pour le 5-4 !!!
On pousse 💪🇪🇸5-4🇫🇷 #ESPFRA #FiersdetreBleus pic.twitter.com/XHAp3qKwSG
— Equipe de France ⭐⭐ (@equipedefrance) June 5, 2025