Spain 5-4 France: Highlights, man of the match, stats as Yamal stars in nine-goal thriller

Lamine Yamal netted a brace as Spain saw off France in a nine-goal thriller to seal their spot in the UEFA Nations League final.

The reigning Nations League champions got off to the perfect start in Stuttgart, netting twice in a three-minute period to race into a two-goal lead just past the halfway mark of the first half. 

Barcelona teammates Lamine Yamal and Pedri grabbed a goal apiece to take Spain's tally to four, before Kylian Mbappe got France on the scoresheet from the penalty spot. 

Yamal then scored his second goal of the evening to give Luis de la Fuente's charges a sizeable 5-1 lead in the semi-final tie. 

However, just as Spain appeared to be heading towards a comfortable victory, Didier Deschamps's side staged a late fightback to net three goals in 15 minutes to reduce the deficit to one. 

France may have played their part in a game that produced the most goals of any Nations League match in history, but they ultimately fell short as Spain survived the nervy final moments to set up a final meeting with Portugal on Sunday, knowing they are just one game away from defending the trophy they won in 2023. 

SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT

Spain and France both deserve plaudits for playing their part in a thrilling game that will live long in the memory for those fortunate to be at the MHP Arena.

La Roja were unplayable at times and fully deserved to have a 5-1 lead when the game drifted past the 70th-minute mark. In fact, at that time, the question was how many goals Spain would score rather than any thought of a France comeback.

To their credit, Les Bleus showed great fight and spirit to claw their way back into the contest, but it ultimately proved too great a challenge to overcome the four-goal deficit. 

SPAIN VS. FRANCE HIGHLIGHTS

Williams goal vs. France (22nd min, Spain 1-0 France)

Spain take the lead in Stuttgart. Mikel Oyarzabal uses his strength to shield the ball before laying it off for Williams to rifle a left foot shot past Mike Maignan and into the roof of the net.

Merino goal vs. France (25th min, Spain 2-0 France)

Oyarzabal picks up another assist to help double Spain's advantage. Merino exchanges a neat one-two with his former Real Sociedad teammate, before he fires a low strike into the bottom corner. 

Yamal goal vs. France (54th min, Spain 3-0 France)

Referee Michael Oliver points to the penalty spot after Adrien Rabiot brings Yamal down in the box. The Barcelona star picks himself up to place the ball down on the spot and slide it in the opposite direction of Maignan's dive.

Pedri goal vs. France (55th min, Spain 4-0 France)

Spain are in dreamland. Williams picks up the ball on the left side of the box before he waits for the opportune moment to slide it into Pedri's path. The midfielder moves it out of his feet with his first touch and calmly knocks it past Maignan to take the tally to four. 

Mbappe goal vs. Spain (59th min, Spain 4-1 France)

Some joy at last for France. Mbappe slots home from the penalty spot after being fouled by Tottenham Hotspur's Pedro Porro. 

Yamal goal vs. France (67th min, Spain 5-1 France)

Porro quickly makes amends for giving away the penalty, providing the assist for Yamal to make it five. The winger collects Porro's through ball, before he squeezes a right-foot shot just out of Maignan's reach to restore Spain's four-goal advantage. 

Cherki goal vs. Spain (79th min, Spain 5-2 France)

One to get Man City fans excited. Rayan Cherki, who looks set to join the Citizens, produces a sumptuous strike to volley past Unai Simon after the ball sat up nicely from his first touch. 

Vivian own goal vs. Spain (84th min, Spain 5-3 France)

France get another back. Malo Gusto's low cross is diverted into the net by Spain defender Dani Vivian, putting France to within two goals of La Roja.

Kolo Muani goal vs. Spain (93rd min, Spain 5-4 France)

Spain are really rocking now. Randal Kolo Muani rises high in the box to power a header home from Cherki's cross to reduce the deficit to one in the final moments of a memorable match. 

MAN OF THE MATCH - LAMINE YAMAL

Yamal once again demonstrated why he is a strong contender to win the 2025 Ballon d'Or award, producing a scintillating display to help fire his country to a statement victory in Stuttgart.

The 17-year-old showed great composure to score from the spot after winning a penalty, before he utilised his balance and nimble footwork to seal his brace.

The Barcelona star was a constant threat throughout the contest, but we should also note the impressive performances of Oyarzabal, Williams and Merino. 

SPAIN VS. FRANCE MATCH STATS

Possession: Spain 43%-57% France

Shots: Spain 16-24 France

Shots on target: Spain 8-9 France 

Corners: Spain 4-6 France

Fouls: Spain 3-1 France

BEST STATS

4 - #Spain ?? have scored at least 3 goals against #France ?? for the first time in official competition, the first time they have scored 4 since June 1949 in a friendly in Paris (5-1). Crushing. pic.twitter.com/QKmOLY2Pvt

— OptaJose (@OptaJose) June 5, 2025

5 - France have conceded 5+ goals for the first time since 12 March 1969 against England (0-5). Disaster. pic.twitter.com/5AoJcgSRar

— OptaJean (@OptaJean) June 5, 2025

9 - #Spain ?? - #France ?? saw nine goals (5-4 for Spain), the most in any #UEFANationsLeague match ever. Fun. pic.twitter.com/a7VWfC7w5O

— OptaJose (@OptaJose) June 5, 2025

WHAT NEXT?

Spain will quickly turn their focus to Sunday's final against Iberian rivals Portugal at the Allianz Arena in Munich.

Meanwhile, France will remain in Stuttgart for a third-place playoff against Germany on Sunday afternoon.