Spain Edge France in Nine-Goal Thriller to Reach Nations League Final
Spain will face Portugal in the final of the 2024/25 UEFA Nations League after a breathtaking 5-4 victory over France in Stuttgart — the highest-scoring semi-final in the tournament’s short history.
For over an hour, La Roja delivered a dominant performance, slicing through the French defence with clinical ease. By the 55th minute, Spain had raced into a stunning 4-0 lead, scoring in quick bursts during both halves. It was a commanding display that echoed PSG’s recent Champions League final demolition of Inter Milan.
France finally found a response on 60 minutes when Kylian Mbappé converted from the penalty spot, but their hopes were quickly dashed again as Lamine Yamal struck from inside the area to restore Spain’s four-goal cushion at 5-1.
However, what followed was a remarkable resurgence. A series of substitutions by Didier Deschamps — including the introduction of Rayan Cherki — sparked France back into life. Cherki himself unleashed a stunning volley to make it 5-2, and was heavily involved in the next two goals as Les Bleus cut the deficit to 5-4 with just minutes remaining.
Despite a frantic finish, Spain held on to secure their third consecutive appearance in a Nations League final. They will now meet Portugal on 8 June in Munich in an all-Iberian showdown for the trophy.
Nations League 2024-2025
Spain - France 5:4 (2:0)
Goals: Nico Williams, 22 (1:0); Merino, 25 (2:0); Yamal, 54 (penalty) (3:0); Pedri, 55 (4:0); Mbappé, 59 (penalty) (4:1); Yamal, 67 (5:1); Cherki, 79 (5:2); Vivian, 84 (own goal) (5:3); Kolo Muani, 94 (5:4)
Spain: Simón U.; Le Normand (Vivian, 77); Porro; Huijsen; Cucurella; Merino (Gavi, 91); Zubimendi; Oyarzabal (Samu, 77); Yamal; Pedri (Fabian Ruiz, 64); Nico Williams (Olmo, 64)
Bench: Raya; Remiro; Cubarsí; Mingueza; Grimaldo; Pino Y.; Álex Baena; Fermin; Morata; Isco
Yellow Cards: Yamal 33; Gavi 96
France: Maignan; Konate; Theo Hernández; Kalulu (Gusto, 63); Lenglet (Lucas Hernandez, 72); Olise (Cherki, 63); Rabiot; Kone Ko.; Doue D. (Barcola B., 63); Dembele O. (Kolo Muani, 76); Mbappé
Bench: Samba B.; Chevalier L.; Badé L.; Digne; Pavard; Guendouzi; Zaire-Emery; Tchouaméni; Thuram M.
Yellow Cards: Rabiot 51; Theo Hernández 82; Kolo Muani 95
