logo
Yamal, Williams dazzle as Spain beat France in nine-goal thriller

Yamal, Williams dazzle as Spain beat France in nine-goal thriller

France 2419 hours ago

Yamal bagged a brace while Williams scored and provided an assist as the two wingers cut France's makeshift defence to ribbons.
Mikel Merino and Pedri were also on the scoresheet for the Euro 2024 champions.
Kylian Mbappe netted a second-half penalty, but Spain were 5-1 up and cruising, before Les Bleus suddenly woke up as their opponents took their foot off the pedal.
France's three late goals -- a Rayan Cherki screamer, a Spain own goal and a stoppage time strike from Randal Kolo Muani -- were not enough.
Spain held on to book an all-Iberian Nations League final against Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal on Sunday in Munich, while France will face hosts Germany in Stuttgart for the bronze medal, earlier in the day.
Returning to Germany where they won the European Championship in dominant fashion a year ago, Spain seem a more complete team, despite their late fadeout.
France were more dangerous in the opening stages, with Didier Deschamps electing to channel his attack through Ousmane Dembele rather than Mbappe.
Dembele, fresh from Paris Saint-Germain's Champions League triumph, created an early chance for Mbappe, but the Real Madrid superstar wasted it, electing to pass rather than shoot when one-on-one with the 'keeper.
Minutes later, Spain escaped again as Theo Hernandez's long-range effort shaved the top of the crossbar.
Spain made France pay soon after, when Williams and Oyarzabal, La Roja's two goalscorers in the Euro 2024 final, linked up with 22 minutes played.
After a tear down the right, Yamal threaded it to Oyarzabal, who held off three defenders with his back to goal before finding Williams, who rifled his shot into the top of the net.
Spain grabbed full hold of the match just three minutes later when Oyarzabal dinked the French defence, allowing Merino to collect and hammer past an off-balance Maignan.
France had the better chances later in the half, with Dembele finding space in the box three times only to blast straight at a grateful Unai Simon.
Just before half-time, the narrowest of offsides robbed Spain of what would have been an incredible third.
In a clearly rehearsed free-kick play, Yamal found Martin Zubimendi behind the lines, who cut it back for Huijsen.
The second-half played out line the first, with France missing two big chances before Spain again scored a quick-fire double.
With 54 minutes played, Yamal won and converted a penalty, taking the ball from Williams before calmly slotting home.
France were reeling but Spain's starlets had no sympathy, Williams setting up Pedri for a fourth just one minute later.
Mbappe won and converted a penalty with 59 minutes played but Yamal stepped up again to snuff out French hopes of an unlikely comeback, scoring Spain's fifth with just over 20 minutes remaining.
Spain made four changes a their thoughts turned to Sunday, allowing France to score two late consolation goals.
Substitute Cherki scored a long-range effort and then forced Spain into conceding an own goal through Daniel Vivian.
Kolo Muani's goal came in the fourth minute of stoppage time to cut the deficit to one, but France had left their comeback too late, as Spain held on.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Women of the sea
Women of the sea

France 24

timean hour ago

  • France 24

Women of the sea

France 12:46 Issued on: 12:46 min In a special edition to mark the UN Oceans Conference being held here in France, we're focusing on the women of the sea; be they sailors, explorers or working in the merchant navy. In a world long dominated by men, there is now a wave of talented women who are turning the tide. Annette Young meets Swiss sailor, Justine Mettraux, who was the first woman to cross the finish line of the 2025 Vendée Globe; the solo round-the-world race. She set the record for the fastest result ever by a woman. Our other guest is Tamara Klink, the Brazilian sailor who made her first solo Atlantic crossing at the age of 24. Last year, the 28-year-old became the first woman to spend eight months of winter in Greenland alone on her vessel. Plus what is life like for the women in the French merchant navy, who still make up an exceedingly tiny minority, and how some still experience misogynistic behaviour.

French Open: Loïs Boisson's amazing run comes to an end with semi-final loss to Coco Gauff
French Open: Loïs Boisson's amazing run comes to an end with semi-final loss to Coco Gauff

LeMonde

time7 hours ago

  • LeMonde

French Open: Loïs Boisson's amazing run comes to an end with semi-final loss to Coco Gauff

Coco Gauff brought a quick end to surprise French hero Loïs Boisson's improbable run at Roland Garros on Thursday, June 5, to set up a final against world number one Aryna Sabalenka. Gauff dominated from the outset on Court Philippe Chatrier and pulled away to a 6-1, 6-2 victory to extinguish the host nation's hopes of a first French Open winner since Mary Pierce in 2000. The 21-year-old Gauff is through to her third Grand Slam singles final. She finished runner-up to Iga Swiatek at Roland Garros three years ago before beating Sabalenka to win the 2023 US Open. "Obviously there's still a lot of work to do, but for now I'll enjoy this one and then prepare for the final tomorrow," she said. For Boisson, 22, it marked a disappointing finish to a remarkable first Grand Slam appearance, a year after missing out because of a serious knee injury. The world No. 361 had never played a top-50 opponent before this week. Boisson dumped out two in the top 10 in third-ranked Jessica Pegula and world number six Mirra Andreeva to set up her last-four clash with Gauff. But the American proved a hurdle too far for a player who only had one WTA tour-level win before the start of the tournament. "She played really, really good. She was just too good for me today, and that's it," said Boisson. Boisson's entrance on court drew huge roars from a crowd filling back up after watching Sabalenka knock out three-time reigning champion Swiatek in the first semi-final. Cheers greeted each of Boisson's returns during the warm-up, but it was Gauff who hit the ground running with a break of serve in the opening game. The American second seed followed a comfortable hold with another break to dampen home spirits as the rain began to pound heavily on the closed roof. Boisson passed up three break points in the fourth game before finally getting on the board after Gauff had raced into a 4-0 lead. Eying the French Open crown Gauff wrapped up the set with little fuss though following another break, subduing a partisan crowd that helped spur Boisson past Andreeva in the quarter-finals. After an exchange of holds to begin the second set, Boisson couldn't capitalize on a break point in the third game as she fired a forehand low into the net. Gauff broke for a 3-1 cushion only to hand the advantage right back the next game. With Boisson struggling for the consistency of earlier rounds, Gauff soon seized control again with her fifth break of the match for a 4-2 edge. Boisson could not produce one last act of defying the odds as Gauff pocketed the final two games to seal a comfortable victory. For Saturday's French Open final against Aryna Sabalenka, Gauff said she will try to downplay the magnitude of the event and learn from her runner-up finish at Roland Garros three years ago. She said she is a much more confident player than the teenager beaten in her maiden Grand Slam final. "My first final here I was super nervous, and I kind of wrote myself off before the match even happened," said Gauff. "Obviously here I have a lot more confidence just from playing a Grand Slam final before and doing well in one," Gauff continued, adding, "I think, going into Saturday, I'll just give it my best shot and try to be as calm and relaxed as possible."

Yamal dazzles as Spain beats France in nine-goal thriller
Yamal dazzles as Spain beats France in nine-goal thriller

LeMonde

time9 hours ago

  • LeMonde

Yamal dazzles as Spain beats France in nine-goal thriller

Spain starlets Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams dazzled as La Roja beat France 5-4 in a thriller in Stuttgart on Thursday, June 5, to set up a Nations League final with Portugal. Yamal bagged a brace while Williams scored and provided an assist as the two wingers cut France's makeshift defense to ribbons. Mikel Merino and Pedri were also on the scoresheet for the Euro 2024 champions. Kylian Mbappé netted a second-half penalty, but Spain were 5-1 up and cruising, before Les Bleus suddenly woke up as their opponents took their foot off the pedal. France's three late goals – a Rayan Cherki screamer, a Spain own goal and a stoppage time strike from Randal Kolo Muani – were not enough. Yamal, still just 17, said Spain "deserved to win." "It was a great game – at the end it was a little too close, but we played very well," he added. Spain held on to book an all-Iberian Nations League final against Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal on Sunday in Munich, while France will face hosts Germany in Stuttgart for the bronze medal, earlier in the day. A smiling goalscorer Merino told DAZN: "It was a crazy game. Not the best game for the coaches – nobody wants to concede so many goals – but an amazing game for the fans. We're going to remember this one for a long time." Returning to Germany where they won the European Championship in dominant fashion a year ago, Spain seem an even more complete team, despite their late fadeout. France coach Didier Deschamps said "it's a mixed bag." "Not everything can be thrown in the rubbish bin... but I'm not leaving with a smile," he added. France dangerous, Spain efficient France were more dangerous in the opening stages, with Deschamps electing to channel his attack through Ousmane Dembélé rather than Mbappé. Dembélé, fresh from Paris Saint-Germain's Champions League triumph, created an early chance for Mbappé, but the Real Madrid superstar wasted it, electing to pass rather than shoot when one-on-one with the goalkeeper. Minutes later, Spain escaped again as Theo Hernandez's long-range effort shaved the top of the crossbar. Spain made France pay soon after, when Williams and Oyarzabal, La Roja's two goalscorers in the Euro 2024 final, linked up with 22 minutes played. Just before half-time, the narrowest of offsides robbed Spain of what would have been an incredible third. In a clearly rehearsed free-kick play, Yamal found Martin Zubimendi behind the right, Yamal threaded it to Oyarzabal, who held off three defenders with his back to goal before finding Williams, who rifled his shot into the top of the net. Spain grabbed full hold of the match just three minutes later when Oyarzabal dinked the French defence, allowing Merino to collect and hammer past an off-balance Maignan. France had the better chances later in the half, with Dembélé finding space in the box three times only to blast straight at a grateful Unai Simon. Just before half-time, the narrowest of offsides robbed Spain of what would have been an incredible third. In a clearly rehearsed free-kick, Yamal found Martin Zubimendi behind the lines, who cut it back for Huijsen. The second-half played out line the first, with France missing two big chances before Spain again scored a quick-fire double. With 54 minutes played, Yamal won and converted a penalty, taking the ball from Williams before calmly slotting home. France were reeling but Spain's starlets had no sympathy, Williams setting up Pedri for a fourth just one minute later. Mbappé won and converted a penalty with 59 minutes played but Yamal stepped up again to snuff out French hopes of an unlikely comeback, scoring Spain's fifth with just over 20 minutes remaining. Spain made four changes a their thoughts turned to Sunday, allowing France to score two late consolation goals. Substitute Cherki scored a long-range effort on debut and then France forced Spain into conceding an own goal through Daniel Vivian. Kolo Muani's header came in the fourth minute of stoppage time to cut the deficit to one, but France had left their comeback too late, as Spain held on.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store