France vs Spain: A Night of Collapse and Yamal's Brilliance
What a night in Stuttgart—one that French football fans will not forget anytime soon, though not for good reasons. The clash between France and Spain in the Nations League semifinal turned into a real nightmare for the Blues, and a showcase of rising star Lamine Yamal’s astonishing talent.
Right from kickoff, the tempo was set high. Both teams came with strong lineups, full of ambition. France started with promise—dominating possession early and threatening with Mbappé and Dembélé combining well. There were moments that hinted at brilliance, like Theo Hernandez's powerful shot rattling the crossbar or the sharp movements from Olise and Doué. But ultimately, it was Spain who showed clinical efficiency.
By the 22nd minute, Nico Williams opened the scoring after a precise setup by Oyarzabal. That was only the beginning. Just three minutes later, Mikel Merino doubled the lead with a composed finish, punishing France’s increasingly shaky defensive line. The halftime whistle couldn’t come fast enough for Didier Deschamps’ men, who went into the break trailing 2-0 and visibly frustrated.
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Things unraveled quickly in the second half. A penalty earned and converted by Yamal in the 53rd minute made it 3-0, and only moments later, Pedri and Williams combined to add a fourth. France's backline was in disarray, and Mike Maignan was left helpless far too often.
Mbappé did manage to salvage a bit of pride, converting a penalty to make it 4-1. But just when there seemed to be a sliver of hope, Yamal—still just 17 years old—struck again. His fifth goal for Spain was a masterpiece: a stunning control and finish after a slick passing move. It sealed the score at 5-1 and confirmed Spain’s dominance.
It was more than just a defeat for France—it was a humbling, a tactical dissection, and a reminder that relying on star power alone won’t always work. Dembélé hit the post, Barcola missed a volley, and France made substitutions to no avail. Young debutants like Cherki and Gusto couldn’t turn the tide. Meanwhile, Spain remained composed, lethal, and fluid.
This match will be remembered not just for the scoreline, but for the arrival of Lamine Yamal on the world stage. With a brace and an all-around electrifying performance, he’s now firmly in the Ballon d’Or conversation.
For France, it's back to the drawing board. Their hopes for a second Nations League title are dashed, and once again, Spain proves to be their kryptonite in a major semifinal.
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