Spain will now take on Portugal in the final of the UEFA Nations League after beating France
Superstar teenager Lamine Yamal scored twice as Spain held on to beat France 5-4 in the semifinal of the UEFA Nations League despite a spirited fightback from Les Bleus.
In what was dubbed before the game as a showdown between Ballon d'Or contenders, Yamal and Ousmane Dembele, it was the Spanish youngster who came out on top.
How it happened
The match began at high intensity, with Theo Hernandez rattling the crossbar and Yamal causing havoc early on.
Nico Williams opened the scoring in the 22nd minute, latching onto Mikel Oyarzabal’s pass before smashing it home.
Minutes later, Arsenal star Mikel Merino made it 2-0 after a slick one-two with Oyarzabal. France pushed back with efforts from Desire Doue, Kylian Mbappe, and Ousmane Dembele, but Unai Simon stood firm.
Yamal made it 3-0 from the spot after being fouled by Adrien Rabiot, and Pedri added a fourth shortly after following a tidy exchange with Williams.
Although Mbappe pulled one back with a penalty, Yamal responded again with his second of the night to make it 5-1.
France mounted a late comeback, with Rayan Cherki scoring a stunner on his debut and assisting Malo Gusto, whose cross deflected in off Dani Vivian. Randal Kolo Muani’s header set up a nervy finish, but Spain held on to book a place in the final against Portugal.