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Kylian Mbappe converted a second-half penalty, but Spain were leading 5-1 and cruising comfortably before Les Bleus staged a late comeback as Spain eased off.
Spain showed no sympathy. (AP Photo)
Spain’s young stars, Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams, shone as La Roja triumphed over France 5-4 in a thrilling match in Stuttgart on Thursday, securing a spot in the Nations League final against Portugal. Yamal scored twice, while Williams netted a goal and provided an assist, dismantling France’s makeshift defense.
Mikel Merino and Pedri also found the back of the net for the Euro 2024 champions.
Kylian Mbappe converted a second-half penalty, but Spain were leading 5-1 and cruising comfortably before Les Bleus staged a late comeback as Spain eased off.
France‘s three late goals—a spectacular strike by Rayan Cherki, an own goal by Spain, and a stoppage-time goal from Randal Kolo Muani—were not enough to turn the game around.
Yamal, only 17, commented that Spain “deserved to win,” adding, “It was a great game—though it got a little too close at the end, we played very well.”
Spain held on to secure an all-Iberian Nations League final against Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal on Sunday in Munich, while France will compete against hosts Germany in Stuttgart for the bronze medal earlier the same day.
Goalscorer Merino, smiling, told DAZN, “It was a crazy game. Not the best game for the coaches — nobody wants to concede so many goals — but an amazing game for the fans. We’re going to remember this one for a long time.”
Returning to Germany, where they won the European Championship dominantly a year ago, Spain appears even more formidable, despite their late lapse.
France coach Didier Deschamps said “it’s a mixed bag. Not everything can be thrown in the rubbish bin… but I’m not leaving with a smile.”
France looked more threatening in the early stages, with Deschamps choosing to focus his attack through Ousmane Dembele rather than Mbappe.
Dembele, fresh from Paris Saint-Germain’s Champions League victory, created an early chance for Mbappe, but the Real Madrid superstar squandered it, opting to pass rather than shoot in a one-on-one with the ‘keeper.
Minutes later, Spain had another close call as Theo Hernandez’s long-range shot grazed the top of the crossbar.
Soon after, Spain made France pay when Williams and Oyarzabal, La Roja’s two goalscorers in the Euro 2024 final, combined effectively with 22 minutes played. Yamal set up Oyarzabal, who held off three defenders before finding Williams, who fired his shot into the top of the net.
Spain took full control of the match just three minutes later when Oyarzabal’s clever play allowed Merino to score past an off-balance Maignan.
France had better chances later in the half, with Dembele finding space in the box three times, only to shoot directly at a grateful Unai Simon.
Just before half-time, a narrow offside call denied Spain what would have been an incredible third goal. In a well-rehearsed free-kick move, Yamal found Martin Zubimendi behind the defense, who cut it back for Huijsen.
The second half mirrored the first, with France missing two big chances before Spain again scored twice in quick succession. With 54 minutes played, Yamal won and converted a penalty, taking the ball from Williams before calmly slotting it home.
France were reeling, but Spain’s young stars showed no mercy as Williams set up Pedri for a fourth goal just a minute later.
Mbappe won and converted a penalty with 59 minutes played, but Yamal once again extinguished French hopes of a comeback, scoring Spain’s fifth with just over 20 minutes remaining.
Spain made four substitutions as they turned their focus to Sunday, allowing France to score two late consolation goals. Substitute Cherki scored a long-range effort on debut, and France forced an own goal from Spain through Daniel Vivian.
Kolo Muani’s header in the fourth minute of stoppage time reduced the deficit to one, but France’s comeback came too late, and Spain held on.
With AFP Inputs
A team of reporters, writers and editors brings you live updates, breaking news, opinions and photos from the wide world of sport. Follow @News18Sports
A team of reporters, writers and editors brings you live updates, breaking news, opinions and photos from the wide world of sport. Follow @News18Sports
- Location :
Stuttgart (Germany)
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