Spain edges France 5–4 in thriller to reach UEFA Nations League final

KATHMANDU: Spain have booked their place in the UEFA Nations League final after a dramatic 5–4 victory over France in a high-octane semifinal clash held in Stuttgart on Thursday night.

The win sets up a mouth-watering final showdown against Portugal in Munich on Sunday.

Seventeen-year-old sensation Lamine Yamal starred for Spain, scoring twice and continuing his rise as one of the world’s most exciting young talents.

The Barcelona forward delivered a brilliant performance that helped seal Spain’s passage to the final.

Spain took early control of the match, with Nico Williams opening the scoring in the 22nd minute. Just three minutes later, Mikel Merino doubled the lead, putting Spain 2–0 ahead.

The Spanish dominance continued into the second half. Yamal made it 3–0 in the 54th minute from the penalty spot after French midfielder Adrien Rabiot committed a foul.

A minute later, Pedri found the net from a Williams assist, making it 4–0.

France fought back with determination. Kylian Mbappé converted a penalty in the 59th minute to bring France into the game.

However, in the 67th minute, Yamal struck again with his second goal of the night, restoring Spain’s three-goal cushion at 5–1.

The match took another dramatic turn as France mounted a late resurgence. Ryan Cherki, making his debut, scored a stunning volley from 20 yards in the 76th minute off a pass from Mbappé.

Spanish defender Dani Vivian then scored an own goal in the 84th minute, narrowing the gap to 5–3.

In the third minute of injury time, Randal Kolo Muani headed in a cross from Cherki, bringing the score to 5–4.

Despite their late surge, France couldn’t find the equalizer and were knocked out of the tournament.

Spain will now face Portugal in Sunday’s final in Munich, while France will play Germany in the third-place playoff, which will also take place in Stuttgart.