By Daily Sports Nigeria on June 6, 2025
Lamine Yamal scored twice as Spain produced a superb display to beat France in a nine-goal thriller and set up a Nations League final with Portugal.
The 17-year-old Barcelona forward, one of the contenders to win the Ballon d'Or for the best player in the world this season, helped his side into 4-0 and 5-1 leads in Stuttgart.
But they were nearly pegged back as France staged a thrilling fightback, scoring three times in the last 11 minutes in a desperate attempt to take the game into extra time.
But Spain held on and they will face Portugal in the final in Munich on Sunday, while France take on Germany in Stuttgart in the third-fourth play-off.
Leading 2-0 through goals from Nico Williams and Mikel Merino, Yamal earned a penalty when he was fouled by Adrien Rabiot, and calmly sent goalkeeper Mike Maignan the wrong way from the spot.
Pedri made it 4-0, collecting a Williams pass and clinically finishing before France pulled a goal back through Kylian Mbappe's penalty following a foul by Tottenham's Pedro Porro.
But Yamal grabbed his second and Spain's fifth with a fine low strike and the game looked over.
However, France substitute Rayan Cherki sparked the revival when, on his international debut, he collected Mbappe's pass, flicked the ball up and volleyed home a wonderful strike from 20 yards out to make it 5-2.
Spanish defender Dani Vivian slid the ball into his own net with six minutes left and then, in the third minute of injury time, Randal Kolo Muani headed in Cherki's cross to make it 5-4, but France could not find an equaliser.
Source BBC Sports
Posted June 6, 2025
You may also like...
Sports Devt Minister, Enoh Backs National Stadium Lagos...
Cavani, Mbappe Out Of Real Madrid Clash
Amoo: We’re determined to avoid relegation
Gareth Bale Considering Early Retirement
Mourinho Volunteers As Food Delivery Driver
Gassama to take charge of Nigeria, Algeria match...

All three World Cup co-hosts eliminated from tournament
CAF confirms Rangers, Rivers United, others for 2026/27 Champions League qualifiers
Paraguayan senator demands apology from Mbappé, threatens legal action
2026 World Cup will be my last tournament, says Cristiano Ronaldo
Okonjo-Iweala hails African teams’ impressive World Cup campaign
Belgium vows to ‘defend football’ after FIFA overturns Balogun suspension
FIFA ‘crossed a red line’ in Balogun reprieve — UEFA
W’Cup qualifiers: D’Tigers end perfect window with Rwanda rout
Cape Verde proved anything is possible at World Cup — Pico Lopes
Norway pin hopes on Haaland against Brazil in World Cup last 16
It feels like victory, Cape Verdeans celebrate heroic World Cup defeat
D’Tigers revive World Cup hopes with Tunisia win
Rangers International going, going . . . (63,939 views)
Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (55,277 views)
Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (53,183 views)
Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (52,792 views)
Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (52,680 views)
Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (52,546 views)
Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (52,436 views)
NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (51,957 views)
Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (51,171 views)
Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (49,637 views)
Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (48,117 views)
John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (47,508 views)