Spain survived a remarkable late scare to beat France 5-4 in an unforgettable Nations League semi-final, booking their place in Sunday’s final.
It was a match that had everything, breathtaking attacking play, defensive chaos, and a near-impossible comeback attempt.
Luis de la Fuente’s men were simply irresistible for much of the night, carving open France on so many occassions, particularly from the irrepressible Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams.
Yet they were made to sweat as a second-half surge from France turned a 5-1 scoreline into a nail-biting finish.
Spain raced into a two-goal lead midway through the first half. Nico Williams opened the scoring in the 22nd minute with a strike into the roof of the net after smart play from Yamal and Mikel Oyarzabal.
Just three minutes later, Oyarzabal teed up Mikel Merino to double the advantage with a clinical low finish.
France, stunned and sluggish in response, were lucky not to concede a third before the break. But Spain’s dominance continued after the restart, and by the 67th minute they were 5-1 ahead.
Yamal, only 17 but playing with a veteran’s calm, coolly slotted home a penalty for Spain’s third after Adrien Rabiot brought him down.
🏁 ¡¡ !!
La @SEFutbol se lleva esta locura.
🇪🇸 🆚 🇫🇷 | 5-4 | 90+6’#VamosEspaña | #NationsLeague pic.twitter.com/7c6wq4bELD
— Selección Española Masculina de Fútbol (@SEFutbol) June 5, 2025
Pedri then added a fourth with a delicate finish following a sublime through ball from Williams, before Yamal grabbed his second – and Spain’s fifth – with a neat finish after Pedro Porro’s clever pass.
France finally responded through a Kylian Mbappe penalty just before the hour mark, briefly hinting at a revival. Still, with the score at 5-1 and 30 minutes left, few believed it was possible.
Enter Rayan Cherki.
The Lyon playmaker sparked France into life with a stunning 25-yard volley to make it 5-2, before his dangerous cross was turned into the Spanish net by defender Daniel Vivian in the 84th minute.
France smelled blood and poured forward, and in the 93rd minute Cherki again dazzled, delivering a pinpoint cross for Randal Kolo Muani to head home, reducing the deficit to 5-4. From 5-1 down, France were within touching distance.
But Spain held on.
Despite a frantic final few minutes, De la Fuente’s side managed to weather the late storm, confirming a place in the final and further underlining their credentials as Europe’s most exciting attacking force.
For France and Didier Deschamps, it will be a night of painful reflection. Their defensive frailty was brutally exposed, though the fighting spirit shown in the final quarter will offer some solace.
Randal pour le 5-4 !!!
On pousse 💪🇪🇸5-4🇫🇷 #ESPFRA #FiersdetreBleus pic.twitter.com/XHAp3qKwSG
— Equipe de France ⭐⭐ (@equipedefrance) June 5, 2025
