Latest news with #Spain-France
India Today
4 days ago
- Sport
- India Today
Lamine Yamal's sly dig at Dembele after Spain win: Best to talk on the pitch
Spain's teenage sensation Lamine Yamal continues to let his football do the talking — and this time, the message was loud and clear. After powering Spain to a dramatic 5-4 win over France in the UEFA Nations League semi-final on June 6, the 17-year-old wonderkid appeared to take a cheeky swipe at fellow Ballon d'Or contender Ousmane who has become one of the frontrunners for the prestigious Ballon d'Or after a staggering 2024-25 campaign with FC Barcelona, bagged a brace in the high-octane clash and made his point — both on and off the pitch. While he had already stirred up anticipation ahead of the semi-final with bold pre-match comments, it was his post-match reflection that grabbed headlines. Without naming names, Yamal made it clear that he believes the pitch is the only place that really matters — a likely nod to Dembl's recent rise with PSG."I always say the same thing to mum, that I try to give my all. That is what motivates me and what gets me up in the morning. It is why I play football. It's always best to speak on the pitch. Dembele's a great player, we saw that in the Champions League, but I am happy that we're the ones in the final," he told RTVE after the Spain-France semi-final was more than just a Nations League fixture — it was a head-to-head between two of the season's most decorated attackers. Yamal, fresh off a treble-winning campaign with Barcelona — having clinched La Liga, Copa del Rey, and the Supercopa de Espana — also added Euro 2024 glory to his name with La Roja. On the other hand, Dembl had his own statement season, playing a starring role in Paris Saint-Germain's historic quadruple, which included their first-ever UEFA Champions League title, a dominant 5-0 win over Inter Milan in the final, as well as Ligue 1, Coupe de France, and the Trophe des Champions. Statistically, Dembl might hold the club edge — finishing with 33 goals and 15 assists in 49 matches — while Yamal posted 18 goals and 25 assists across 55 appearances. But Yamal's national team success and his impact in the Nations League semi-final may just have tilted the Ballon d'Or narrative slightly in his Spain's win, Yamal has booked a blockbuster final against Portugal — a showdown that pits the rising star against football royalty in Cristiano Ronaldo. France, despite mounting a spirited comeback from 0-4 down by the 55th minute, couldn't find the the Ballon d'Or ceremony approaches on September 22, and with nominations set to roll out in early August, the stage is set for a thrilling final chapter.
Business Upturn
5 days ago
- Sport
- Business Upturn
Has Lamine Yamal settled the Ballon d'Or debate after his masterclass vs France in the Nations League semi-final?
In a thrilling UEFA Nations League semi-final on June 5, 2025, Spain's teenage sensation Lamine Yamal delivered a performance that has sparked widespread debate about the 2025 Ballon d'Or. Facing off against France and fellow Ballon d'Or contender Ousmane Dembele, Yamal's dazzling display in Spain's 5-4 victory has fans and pundits alike questioning whether the 17-year-old has cemented his claim as the world's best player. But did this single match truly end the Ballon d'Or debate? Let's dive into the details. Lamine Yamal's Masterclass Against France The Mercedes-Benz Arena in Stuttgart was the stage for an electrifying encounter between Spain and France. Yamal, already a household name after his breakout performances at Euro 2024 and for Barcelona, stole the show. He scored two goals, showcasing his trademark flair, dribbling, and lethal finishing. Social media erupted with praise, with fans proclaiming, 'How do you watch Lamine Yamal and not conclude that this is obviously the best footballer in the world right now? Yamal's ability to perform on such a high-stakes stage at just 17 years old has drawn comparisons to legends like Lionel Messi. His composure, creativity, and big-game mentality were evident as he guided Spain to a thrilling victory, securing their place in the Nations League final against Portugal. The Ballon d'Or Race: Yamal vs. Dembele Leading up to the semi-final, the media framed the Spain-France clash as a potential 'Ballon d'Or play-off' between Yamal and Ousmane Dembele. Dembele, now thriving at Paris Saint-Germain, has had an outstanding season, with 35 goals across all competitions compared to Yamal's 19. His contributions to PSG's Ligue 1, French Cup, and Champions League treble have made him a strong contender for the prestigious award. However, Yamal's performance against France may have shifted the narrative. While Dembele also found the net, Yamal's two goals and overall impact in the match have led some to argue that he outshone his rival. Has Yamal Ended the Debate? Lamine Yamal's performance against France was a masterclass that has intensified the Ballon d'Or debate, but it hasn't ended it. His two goals and commanding presence have strengthened his case, but Dembele's consistent excellence and other contenders' performances keep the race open. As Yamal himself emphasized, the Ballon d'Or should reward the best player over the entire season, not just one match. With the Nations League final and the Ballon d'Or ceremony still to come, the football world will be watching closely to see if Yamal can continue his meteoric rise. Aman Shukla is a post-graduate in mass communication . A media enthusiast who has a strong hold on communication ,content writing and copy writing. Aman is currently working as journalist at
India.com
6 days ago
- Sport
- India.com
Cristiano Ronaldo scores banger as Portugal beat Germany to reach UEFA Nations League final
Cristiano Ronaldo celebrating after scoring a goal against Germany. New Delhi: Portugal defeated Germany 2-1 in a UEFA Nations League semi-final match, securing a place in the final. Cristiano Ronaldo's goal contributed to the victory, marking his 137th international goal. A late goal by a 40-year-old player, assisted by Nuno Mendes, secured Portugal's victory. They will now play the winner of the Spain-France semifinal in the final, which is to be held in Munich on Sunday. Five minutes after Francisco Conceicao equalized Germany's opening goal by Florian Wirtz, Cristiano Ronaldo scored. Wirtz scoring the opening goal. Wirtz, soon to join Liverpool for a substantial fee, capitalized on a well-placed pass from Kimmich, who was playing in his 100th international game for Germany. This victory came against Portugal, the 2019 Nations League champions. Portugal challenged the validity of a Germany's goal scored by debutant Nick Woltemade, claiming he impeded defender Ruben Dias. Although the referee, Slavko Vincic, reviewed the play on the monitor, the goal stood. Substitute Conceicao scored a well-placed equalizer for Portugal in the 63rd minute, just five minutes after entering the game. He dribbled past the opposing defense from near the right sideline before curving a shot past goalkeeper Marc-Andre Ter Stegen, tying the score. Portugal secured a victory over Germany, with Ronaldo scoring two goals. A late German attempt hit the post, but Portugal held on for the win. A ten-minute delay preceded the match in Munich due to a hailstorm. This was the Allianz Arena's second major event of the week, following Saturday's Champions League final where Paris St-Germain defeated Inter Milan 5-0 to claim their first European title. Germany controlled the early stages of the match, creating superior scoring chances. However, Portugal's goalkeeper, Diogo Costa, performed admirably, thwarting attempts from Goretzka and Woltemade. Portugal's performance improved significantly in the second half, while Germany seemed to lose their momentum. Following their two goals, Portugal created further scoring opportunities, only thwarted by Ter Stegen's impressive save from Jota and a subsequent shot from Conceicao. Portugal scored two goals to beat Germany 2-1 which was their first win against Germany since over two decades ago. Portugal (2019), France (2021) and Spain (2023) were the previous winners of the tournament which is in its fourth edition.
USA Today
6 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Fans were convinced Cristiano Ronaldo was offside on goal even after VAR
Fans were convinced Cristiano Ronaldo was offside on goal even after VAR Cristiano Ronaldo is still featuring for the Portugal national team at 40 years old, and on Wednesday, he had yet another signature moment in his legendary career. And, of course, it came with some controversy. With Portugal taking on Germany in the UEFA Nations League semifinal at Allianz Arena in Munich, both Nuno Mendes and Ronaldo broke free behind the German defense in the 68th minute. Mendes made a decisive pass over to Ronaldo who tapped in the go-ahead goal. Immediately, we saw as Germany was pleading for an offside call. The flag remained down in real time, and replays suggested that Ronaldo may have been ahead of the ball in an offside position. Another look: The UEFA Nations League, though, was using the semi-automated VAR technology we saw in the World Cup. And in a matter of seconds, Ronaldo's goal was upheld. This was the digital mapping of the play that came in, showing Ronaldo was behind the ball at the time of the pass. Oddly enough, the VAR image looked awfully different from what fans were looking at on the broadcast. And sure, the camera positioning may have had Ronaldo looking offside when he wasn't. But that's the exact kind of goal we see ruled off in VAR with manually drawn lines all the time. The semi-automated system almost certainly got the call right, but that didn't convince everyone. This was how Twitter/X reacted Portugal will face the winner of Spain-France in Sunday's final.
