Latest news with #SpainVsFrance
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Official: Real Madrid new signing starts for Spain against France
Official: Real Madrid new signing starts for Spain against France Real Madrid new signing Dean Huijsen will face off against Kylian Mbappe later tonight as the young centre-back has been named in the Spain lineup to take on France. The two European heavyweights are set to square off in Stuttgart in under a couple of hours in the UEFA Nations League semi-final, with the winners set to face Portugal in the final later this week. Advertisement And Huijsen, who signed for Real Madrid this summer, arriving from Bournemouth in a deal worth €58 million, starts at centre-back alongside Atletico Madrid's Robin Le Normand. With Didier Deschamps having already confirmed that Mbappe will start as the striker for France, Huijsen will come up against his new teammate in what will be an enticing battle to watch for the Real Madrid fans. The 20-year-old Dutch-Spanish ace will be hoping to make a big impression in what will only be his third start for La Roja. Meanwhile, Real Madrid midfield target Martin Zubimendi also starts on the night alongside Arsenal's Mikel Merino and Barcelona's Pedri.
The Independent
4 days ago
- Sport
- The Independent
Yamal scores twice as Spain survive late France onslaught
Spain defeated France 5-4 in a thrilling Nations League semi-final, securing their spot in the final against Portugal. Spain took an early lead with goals from Nico Williams and Mikel Merino, followed by two goals from Lamine Yamal and one from Pedri. France mounted a late comeback with goals from Kylian Mbappe, Rayan Cherki, a Dani Vivian own goal, and Randal Kolo Muani, but it wasn't enough. Lamine Yamal expressed his motivation to give his all for Spain and his hope to win the Nations League cup. The match was notable for being the first-ever Nations League game with nine goals and the first time France had conceded five goals in a match since 1969. Lamine Yamal dazzles as Spain edge France in nine-goal Nations League thriller
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
👀 Yamal breaks 100-year-old record, sends a message to Dembélé
Once again, it was a game in which one star outshone all the others. Around the semifinal between Spain and France, the discussion wasn't just about who would advance to the final, but also about who would win the Ballon d'Or. Lamine Yamal or Ousmane Dembélé? "I'm not thinking about winning the Ballon d'Or. I just want to have fun, play well, and if the Ballon d'Or comes, then so be it," the Barça youngster told 'Radio COPE' before the match. He proved once again during the semifinal that he enjoys himself on the pitch, and in the process, he broke a record that had stood for 100 years. Advertisement Against Spain, Yamal scored a brace and, at 17 years and 327 days old, is now the youngest player ever to score twice in a match for the Spanish national team. Previously, this record belonged to Juan Errazquin, who was 18 years and 344 days old when he scored his brace. That was back in 1925. You can watch Yamal's goals again here. After the 5:4 win against France, it was no surprise that he was named "Player of the Match." And it was hardly unexpected that the Ballon d'Or came up again during his on-field interview. "I always told my mother that I would give everything," Yamal said at the start, adding, "That's why I get up every morning, that's my motivation to play football. Dembélé is a world-class player, you can see that in the Champions League. But today, we're in the final." Advertisement Spain's national coach is also convinced of the young star's quality. "Lamine Yamal made a statement tonight and showed that he should win the Ballon d'Or," said Luis de la Fuente after the match. In the Nations League final, Spain will now face Portugal and Cristiano Ronaldo. For France and Dembélé, it's the third-place match against Germany. This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here. 📸 FRANCK FIFE - AFP or licensors
Al Jazeera
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Al Jazeera
Yamal shines as Spain beat France 5-4 in wild Nations League semifinal
Lamine Yamal won the battle of Ballon d'Or contenders by scoring twice as Spain eclipsed France 5-4 in their Nations League semifinal. The 17-year-old Yamal outshone French counterparts Desire Doue and Ousmane Dembele on Thursday as Spain initially ran riot against Didier Deschamps' tired-looking team to book its place in Sunday's final against Portugal. Portugal defeated host nation Germany 2-1 on Wednesday. Thursday's game had been billed as a contest between young stars, but it was clear that Paris Saint-Germain's Champions League win in Munich on Saturday had added more weight to French legs with PSG stars Doue and Dembele disappointing. It was the highest scoring game in the Nations League's short history, but three of the four French goals came after Yamal had made it 5-1 and the Spanish players eased up thinking the game was won. 'It was a great game. In the end it was a little close, but we played very well and I think deserved to win,' Yamal said. Nico Williams opened the scoring in the 22nd minute after Yamal threaded the ball through to Mikel Oyarzabal, who held off two defenders and served it on a plate for Williams to rifle to the roof of the net. Mikel Merino, the hero when Spain last played in Stuttgart, made it 2-0 three minutes later after playing a one-two with Oyarzabal. Theo Hernandez struck the crossbar and Spain needed goalkeeper Unai Simón to deny Doue, then Mbappe and Dembele. But Spain looked capable of scoring at any time. Real Madrid defender Dean Huijsen thought he'd scored spectacularly after a brilliantly worked free kick, only to have the goal ruled out for offside. It was the 20-year-old Huijsen's third game for Spain. It looks like he's set to stay. Adrien Rabiot conceded a penalty for a mistimed challenge on Yamal, who dusted himself off to make it 3-0 from the spot in the 54th. Pedri scored a minute after that, taking Williams' pass with his first touch and dinking it past the bewildered Mike Maignan with his next. Pedro Porro's foul gave Mbappe his chance from the penalty, but Yamal replied to that by prodding the ball past Maignan for 5-1. Substitute Rayan Cherki scored late on his France debut after Yamal scored Spain's fifth, then Spain defender Daniel Vivian conceded an own goal, and Cherki set up fellow substitute Randal Kolo Muani in stoppage time as France ultimately came close to an improbable comeback.
New York Times
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- New York Times
Spain 5 France 4 – Genius Yamal, sublime team goal and Cherki wonderstrike in nine-goal thriller
Lamine Yamal was the star as Spain beat France in a nine-goal thriller in Stuttgart to set up a Nations League final against Portugal on Sunday. The game was billed as a battle of the Ballon d'Or contenders and featured some of the brightest names in European football, including Yamal, Kylian Mbappe, Nico Williams, Desire Doue and Ousmane Dembele. Advertisement Williams, the Athletic Club forward, who is on the shortlist of many clubs this summer, put Spain in front before Arsenal midfielder-come-forward Mikel Merino doubled the lead. Martin Zubimendi, who is in the final stages of a move to Arsenal this summer, was the provider for Merino. After the break, Yamal calmly put away a penalty before Pedri finished off a brilliant team goal. A Kylian Mbappe penalty brought hope for France until Yamal, just 17, again showed his brilliance when he scored Spain's fifth. Rayan Cherki, another in-demand player, then topped his France senior debut with a brilliant finish to make it 5-2 before a late own goal and Randal Kolo Muani header made it 5-4. Here, Stuart James, Dermot Corrigan and Thom Harris break down the action from Stuttgart. This was another stellar night for Yamal in a Spain shirt, and once again France were on the receiving end. Eleven months on from his wonder strike in the European Championship semi-finals, Yamal inflicted more pain on France with an outstanding performance that featured two goals, the first from the penalty spot and the second finished with such coolness and confidence that you have to keep reminding yourself he's still only 17 years old. He was, quite simply, unplayable. With 10 minutes remaining, Theo Hernandez decided enough was enough as Yamal wriggled away from him in the centre of the pitch after producing another piece of superb skill. The France full-back wrapped both arms around Yamal, almost like a rugby tackle. He may as well have thrown in a towel too. There is something truly joyous about watching Yamal play. Absolutely fearless and blessed with the most extraordinary talent, he is a genuine superstar already. And he doesn't turn 18 for another month. Stuart James When Nico Williams thrashed an unstoppable 12-yard shot high to the net, it was another reminder of the tendency of the Basque to make an impact on the biggest stages. His last three international goals have come against England in last summer's Euro 2024 final, versus the Netherlands in the Nations League quarter-finals in March, and now a crucial strike against France in the competition's semi-final. Advertisement The goal was a welcome boost for Williams, who last month suffered the disappointment of losing with Athletic to Manchester United in the Europa League semi-finals. The 22-year-old looked fine tonight, and his 'camera' goal celebration and hug with young Spain defender Dean Huijsen was also noticeable. Huijsen has just joined Real Madrid, who activated his £50m release clause at Bournemouth. Williams himself has a release clause of around €60m. Arsenal are also long-term admirers of Williams, while Barcelona were interested in him after last summer's Euros. But he has always so far decided to stay at Athletic, who have qualified for next season's Champions League. Athletic Club sporting director Mikel Gonzalez suggested earlier on Thursday that there was 'constant contact' with Williams' camp about extending a contract which still has two years left to run. Tonight's display was another reminder that, as long as that clause remains around €60m, Williams will continue to have suitors among Europe's richest clubs. Dermot Corrigan Spain's fourth goal was just tremendous — even at 3-0 ahead, De la Fuente's team were still pushing up the pitch to get another. When right-back Pedro Porro took a throw-in just inside the France half, Pedri came short to play a one-two. The Tottenham defender played a direct low ball towards centre-forward Mikel Oyarzabal, but marker Ibrahima Konate came out ahead of him to try and intercept. When the ball spun up in the air, Pedri was the quickest to react, throwing up his right boot to connect with a sublime first touch. That set him up perfectly to immediately spread the ball wide with his left foot to Nico Williams on the far wing. Nico ran at his defender, but was really just waiting for Pedri to arrive in the box, and he threaded the ball through to the fast-arriving midfielder. The pass was just behind him, but Pedri produced another fantasy first touch to bring the ball under control and into his path. Then, all in the same movement, he was able to deftly lift the ball over the outstretched leg of France keeper Mike Maignan to the net. You could tell from Pedri's celebration, with his tongue out and a huge smile spread across his face, that the Canary Islander knew he had just scored a really special goal. He had been involved three times, needing just five touches to start and finish the move. What made it all the more amazing was that Pedri is right-footed. He does not score many goals — this was his third in his 31st cap – but this was tremendous. Dermot Corrigan This doesn't happen often to France — it's the first time they have conceded five goals in a game for over 56 years — on the receiving end of Ole's from the crowd with 15 minutes to play. But for all the mistakes, the lapses in concentration in build-up, the wastefulness in front of goal, there were some outrageous moments of quality on show, particularly as Les Bleus looked to mount an unlikely comeback in the closing moments. Advertisement There were flashes of technical brilliance from Mbappe, Doue, Dembele in the first half, thwarted by a number of excellent saves from Unai Simon, but things were turned up a notch when Cherki entered the fray. He played a number of splitting passes before his wonderful goal, volleying past Simon after a wonderful piece of control, his mix of technique and nonchalance so pleasing on the eye. Combined with the electricity of Bradley Barcola from the bench, there were some exciting glimpses into the future. It feels odd to say after what could have been an embarrassing defeat — France crumbled in 12 second-half minutes, injuries to key defensive players not helping confidence in that torrid spell — but as the game verged upon lunacy towards the end, there was a reminder of the incredible attacking quality that this team holds. Thom Harris Zubimendi seemed to cool suggestions that a summer move to Arsenal was nearing completion this week, but this was still a great opportunity to see the much-discussed midfielder in action. As The Athletic reported in the Dealsheet on Tuesday, the transfer is effectively agreed, pending a medical. The 26-year-old rarely catches the eye, by no means the flashiest player in a star-studded side. But watching how he moves when his teammates have the ball helps to explain the clamour around him; constantly dropping into pockets of space, recognising when others are under pressure and becoming the spare man to help them escape. If the ball does come his way, the next pass is often quick, snappy and secure — still careful but slightly more adventurous when he's given time to amble forward with it at his feet. Steady if unspectacular, smooth in possession, he is everything you expect a classic Spanish pivote to be. Defensively, Zubimendi was dragged around more than he usually likes to be in the first half, tasked with following Manu Kone and sometimes Michael Olise further up the pitch when Spain looked to press high. But while he committed two cynical fouls in the opening 15 minutes, he timed his tackle perfectly to dispossess Kylian Mbappe in the moments leading up to Spain's second goal, eventually dropping between the two centre-backs and firing a crisp pass into Mikel Merino between the lines. That took six players out of the game, allowing the Arsenal midfielder to link up with Mikel Oyarzabal and finish past Mike Maignan. Advertisement There was another delightful pass in the second half too, releasing Pedro Porro with a spinning, sand-wedged ball that led directly to Spain's fifth. Though rarely in the final third himself, Zubimendi is so often the one to set his talented teammates on their way. This was classic Zubimendi — understated, generally safe, but finding a handful of moments — two crucial — to pick up the pace. Thom Harris We will bring you this after he has spoken at the post-match news conference. We will bring you this after he has spoken at the post-match news conference. Sunday, June 8: Portugal; Nations League third-place play-off (Stuttgart), 2pm UK, 9am ET or final (Munich), 8pm UK, 3pm ET Sunday, June 8: Germany; Nations League third-place play-off (Stuttgart), 2pm UK, 9am ET or final (Munich), 8pm UK, 3pm ET
