Great match and show of authority from the Spanish team to reach their second consecutive UEFA Nations League final. Luis de la Fuente’s team prevailed against France in what was a goalscoring spectacle at the Mercedes-Benz Arena, where a total of nine goals were celebrated.
Five on Spain’s side, with a brace courtesy of Lamine Yamal (54′ and 67′) and goals from Nico Williams (22′), Mikel Merino (25′) and Pedri González (55′); and four from the French side, with contributions from Kylian Mbappé (59′), Rayan Cherki (79′), Dani Vivian own goal (84′) and Randal Kolo Muani (90+3′).
France started with impetus, but Spain held on and struck
The emotions were immediate. Already in the 7th minute, Désiré Doué tested the resistance of Unai Simón, who was up to the task, making a providential save. It was the first major warning from ‘Les Bleus’ who started with great impetus, overwhelming a Spain that knew how to resist with composure… until their opportunity came.
And they certainly knew how to take advantage of it. In the 22nd minute, Nico Williams, who had already tried before with a shot repelled by Mike Maignan, this time got his reward. The winger from Athletic Club did not waste a great assist from Mikel Oyarzabal, who retained the ball in the heart of the area, and filtered it to the left of the field. There appeared the winger from Pamplona, controlled, and unleashed an unstoppable left-footed shot, impossible for the French goalkeeper.
‘La Roja’ did not lower the intensity. Just three minutes later, in the 25th minute, Mikel Merino scored the second goal. Again Oyarzabal, in a false 9 position, received the ball and chipped it over the French defense. Merino exploited the space to get behind the defenders and, with the ball bouncing in the area, unleashed a right-footed shot that went in at Maignan’s near post.
Unai Simón stands out as a figure and Huijsen suffers the annulment of the great goal
From then on, Spain dominated both the result and the management of the game. France had some dangerous chances —one from Désiré Doué and another from Dembélé— that demanded the best from Unai Simón, increasingly relevant in the match.
Also, the first half could have ended with a third Spanish goal, but in the 43rd minute, a real stunner from Dean Huijsen was disallowed due to a previous offside by Martín Zubimendi. A gem of a rehearsed play that deserved better luck.
Lamine Yamal scores the 3-0 with the personality of a veteran
The second half started with Spain again determined. In the 49th minute, and by those twists of fate that only football knows how to weave, Adrien Rabiot committed a penalty on Lamine Yamal. After a VAR review for a possible offside, the foul was validated.
Lamine, without hesitation, was in charge of shooting: with a veteran’s coolness, he sent a low pass to the right side of the goal while Maignan dived to the opposite side. Goal, 3-0, and total party.
The celebration did not stop. In the 55th minute, Pedri sealed the 4-0 after a great collective action. He took advantage of a through ball from Nico Williams into the area, and appearing as if he were a center forward, controlled with his left foot, shaped up and, with an exquisite chip finish, beat the French goalkeeper. A goal to crown a memorable performance by the Canary Islander.
France reacts, but Lamine Yamal responds with the ‘manita’
The French reaction came in the 59th minute with a penalty converted by Mbappé, which made it 4-1. Then, in the 63rd minute, Barcola, Malo Gusto and Cherki came on, which would give ‘Les Bleus’ another air. But ‘La Roja’ did not break down.
In the 67th minute, Lamine Yamal signed his brace and the 5-1, taking advantage of a pass from Pedro Porro into the area. After a body-to-body duel with his guardian, the young Barça player unleashed a right-footed shot with some luck that went into the goal. Hand and total tranquility.
Cherki leads the French revolution, but it’s not enough
In the 79th minute, Cherki set off the alarms with a great goal. He received the ball on the edge of the area and, despite the pressure from three opponents, unleashed an anthology left-footed shot, impossible for Unai Simón. The score became 5-2.
The uncertainty grew when, in the 84th minute, Dani Vivian scored an own goal (5-3). And the drama was completed in the 90+3rd minute, when Kolo Muani scored the 5-4 after a cross from Cherki, finishing at point-blank range. The comeback seemed possible.
Agonizing end and ticket to the final against Portugal
But there was no time for more. In the 90+5th minute, the referee decreed the end of a real great match, one of those that make history. Spain is in the grand final, where they will face Portugal next Sunday, seeking to be crowned champion of the UEFA Nations League 2024/25. Will they achieve it?
