Spain vs France LIVE: Nations League semi-final result, latest updates and reaction after nine-goal thriller | OneFootball

Two heavyweight European rivals play out a thriller in Stuttgart

Lamine Yamal scored twice for Spain against France

AFP via Getty Images

Spain vs France LIVE!

Two European heavyweights went head-to-head in Stuttgart tonight with Spain coming out on top against France in a nine-goal thriller to seal a place in the 2025 Nations League final against Portugal. Spain manager Luis de la Fuente made some bold calls with his team selection, but Mikel Oyarzabal justified his selection with two first-half assists.

The Real Sociedad star, who scored the winning goal against England in the Euro 2024 final, showed great hold-up play before laying the ball off for Nico Williams to rifle an effort into the back of the net. Three minutes later, he played in Mikel Merino for the Arsenal midfielder to produce a fine finish to double the lead.

Spain found themselves 4-0 up 10 minutes into the second half as Lamine Yamal’s penalty was swiftly followed up by Pedri’s dinked effort. Kylian Mbappe pulled one back from the spot but Yamal restored Spain’s four-goal advantage. That wasn’t to be the end of the scoring though as Rayan Cherki marked his debut with a stunning strike before Daniel Vivian put the ball into his own net and then Randal Kolo Muani got on the scoresheet but time was ultimately against the French. On to Sunday now as Spain will face Portugal in the final whilst France meet Germany in the third place play-off.