Spain Survives France Scare to Secure Nations League Final Against Portugal
In one of the most electrifying contests in recent Nations League annals, Spain narrowly triumphed over France with a 5-4 victory in a pulsating semi-final on Wednesday night, setting the stage for an enticing final against Portugal in Munich on Sunday.
Luis de la Fuente’s resurgent Spain, the reigning Nations League champions and fresh from their Euro 2024 conquest, appeared to be coasting to victory when they stormed to a 5-1 advantage early in the second half. Yet, a breathtaking late surge by France brought them tantalizingly close to a historic comeback, only to fall short in the dying moments in Stuttgart.
The evening commenced with fireworks. In the 22nd minute, Nico Williams inaugurated the scoring for Spain with a thunderous strike into the net’s apex following an exquisite buildup play from Lamine Yamal and Mikel Oyarzabal. Merely three minutes later, Mikel Merino augmented Spain’s lead, once again collaborating with Oyarzabal in a deft one-two before slotting the ball low into the bottom corner.
France, disoriented and reeling, scarcely had time to recalibrate before Spain intensified the pressure. In the 51st minute, Adrien Rabiot fouled Yamal in the penalty area, and the 17-year-old Barcelona prodigy stepped up to nonchalantly convert the spot-kick. Moments later, Williams assumed the role of provider, delivering an astute pass to Pedri, who executed a delightful finish over Mike Maignan, making it 4-0.
Kylian Mbappé briefly rekindled French aspirations with a 59th-minute penalty, but Yamal struck again in the 67th, calmly finding the net for a fifth goal, seemingly putting the match beyond France’s reach at 5-1.
Yet, France refused to capitulate.
Rayan Cherki conjured a moment of brilliance in the 69th with a breathtaking 25-yard volley, followed by a low cross from Malo Gusto inadvertently deflected into his own net by Spanish substitute Vivian in the 84th minute. Suddenly, the score stood at 5-3.
Then, in the 90th minute, Cherki once more posed a threat, this time delivering a precise cross that Kolo Muani met with a powerful header, reducing the deficit to 5-4. France, astonishingly, were within a single goal.
Despite six minutes of additional time and mounting pressure, Spain held firm.
Spain will now face Portugal, who vanquished Germany in their semi-final, in Sunday’s final back in Munich—the same venue where Portugal stunned the hosts. Meanwhile, France will confront Germany in the third-place play-off.
For Spain, their unbeaten streak extends beyond two years, and with luminaries like Yamal, Pedri, and Williams shining brightly, they remain Europe’s team to conquer.
Yet, despite their heroics, France’s comeback—though unfinished—will endure in memory for years to come.
