**Spain Edge France 5-4 in Nine-Goal Thriller to Reach Nations League Final**
Spain stormed into their third consecutive UEFA Nations League final with a breathtaking 5-4 victory over France in Stuttgart on Thursday, in a match that will go down as one of the most dramatic in the tournament’s history.
Lamine Yamal, Spain’s 17-year-old prodigy, once again stole the spotlight with two goals and a dominant all-round display, inspiring the reigning European champions to a famous win over the 2021 Nations League winners.
Spain looked to be cruising to victory after a scintillating first half at the MHP Arena. Nico Williams opened the scoring with a clinical finish before Mikel Merino doubled the lead on 25 minutes, capping off a flowing team move orchestrated by Mikel Oyarzabal.
Yamal, who was fouled in the box early in the second half, converted the resulting penalty with remarkable composure before Pedri added a stunning fourth just seconds later. When Yamal netted his second of the night in the 67th minute, Spain led 5-1 and looked out of sight.
However, France, led by Kylian Mbappé, launched an improbable late surge. Mbappé converted a penalty just before the hour mark to reduce the deficit. Then, a wonder strike from Rayan Cherki, an own goal by Spain’s Dani Vivian, and a close-range finish from substitute Randal Kolo Muani turned the match into a nerve-shredding finale.
Despite the late chaos, Spain held firm to secure their spot in Sunday’s final against Iberian rivals Portugal, who defeated Italy in the other semi-final.
The victory continues Spain’s remarkable run under head coach Luis de la Fuente, who has lost just once in over two years and guided the team to last summer’s European Championship title.
Key to De la Fuente’s success has been the dynamic wing play of Williams and Yamal. Against France, both were electric. Williams’ pace and finishing gave Spain an early advantage, while Yamal’s maturity and goal-scoring instincts belied his age. The teenager now boasts over 100 appearances for Barcelona and is widely tipped as a leading Ballon d’Or contender.
For France, the defeat was a bitter pill. It marked the first time since 1969 that Les Bleus had conceded five goals in a single match and just the second occasion in Didier Deschamps’ 13-year tenure where they let in twice inside the first 30 minutes.
Despite the loss, the match will be remembered as a modern classic — the first-ever Nations League game to feature nine goals — and a thrilling showcase of European football’s brightest talents.
Final: Spain vs Portugal
Date: Sunday, June 8
Venue: MHP Arena, Stuttgart
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