Lamine Yamal shines as Spain beat France in nine-goal thriller

Lamine Yamal scored twice as Spain defeated France in a thrilling match. The game ended with a score of 5-4, setting up a Nations League final against Portugal.

Yamal, a 17-year-old Barcelona forward, is a contender for the Ballon d'Or. He helped Spain take leads of 4-0 and 5-1 in Stuttgart.

France made a strong comeback, scoring three times in the last 11 minutes. They aimed to force extra time but Spain held on for the win.

Spain will face Portugal in the final on Sunday in Munich. France will play Germany for third place in Stuttgart.

Spain led 2-0 with goals from Nico Williams and Mikel Merino. Yamal earned a penalty after being fouled by Adrien Rabiot. He calmly converted it, sending goalkeeper Mike Maignan the wrong way.

Pedri then made it 4-0 after receiving a pass from Williams. Kylian Mbappe pulled one back for France with a penalty after Pedro Porro's foul.

Yamal scored his second goal to make it 5-1 with a low strike. However, France's Rayan Cherki sparked their revival on his debut. He volleyed home from Mbappe's pass, making it 5-2.

Dani Vivian accidentally scored an own goal with six minutes left. In injury time, Randal Kolo Muani headed in Cherki's cross to make it 5-4. Despite their efforts, France could not equalize.

This match featured the last two Nations League champions: France (2021) and Spain (2022). Both teams had won their quarter-finals through penalty shootouts.

No one expected such an exciting match in Stuttgart. Spain’s goalkeeper Unai Simon made several crucial saves early on as France started strong.

France included Ousmane Dembele and Desire Doue, who recently won the Champions League final with PSG. Theo Hernandez hit the crossbar while Simon saved attempts from Doue.

Dembele and Rabiot also missed chances before Spain took control of the game. Williams opened the scoring by firing into the roof of the net.

Merino added another goal when he was unmarked in front of goal. At halftime, Spain led 2-0 but an incredible second half saw seven goals scored.

Spain initially led by four goals but had to hang on at the end of this memorable match that fans will discuss for years to come.