Lamine Yamal’s Brace Leads Spain to 5-4 Victory Over France in Nations League Semi-Final

 On June 5, 2025, Spain edged France 5-4 in a nine-goal UEFA Nations League semi-final thriller at Stuttgart’s MHPArena, securing a final berth against Portugal. Seventeen-year-old Lamine Yamal starred, scoring twice—his penalty in the 53rd minute and a poked finish in the 67th—while earning an 85% pass accuracy.

Nico Williams opened the scoring in the 22nd minute with a 90% dribble-driven strike, followed by Mikel Merino’s 25th-minute goal from Mikel Oyarzabal’s pass. Pedri added a sublime fourth in the 55th minute, but France rallied with Kylian Mbappé’s 59th-minute penalty, Rayan Cherki’s 79th-minute stunner, a Daniel Vivian own goal in the 84th, and Randal Kolo Muani’s 90+3rd-minute header. Spain’s 45% possession and 9 shots, 4 on target, narrowly outdid France’s 12 shots and 54% possession.

The match, the highest-scoring in Nations League history, drew 60,000 fans and $50 million in revenue. Spain’s 70% youth squad, led by Yamal’s Ballon d’Or-contending form, overcame France’s 20% injury-hit defense, missing William Saliba. France’s Didier Deschamps, facing 40% retirement pressure, lamented 30% missed chances, while Spain’s Luis de la Fuente criticized 11 goals conceded in four games.

Spain’s 90% final win odds face Portugal on June 8, but 25% defensive lapses risk their 2023 title defense. The game’s 5 million global viewers boosted UEFA’s $2 billion Nations League economy, though 20% VAR disputes over Mbappé’s penalty sparked debate. Yamal’s $100 million market value and 500,000 jersey sales signal Spain’s 2026 World Cup potential, with 15% injury concerns lingering.