Lamine's Spain will defend its title in Munich.
Spain will play in the UEFA Nations League final after beating France 5-4 with a great performance from Yamal.
This match was not only between the two national teams: There was also a personal interest in the Golden Ball. Ousmane Dembele tried his best but the balls did not come out. Or when he tried to take the initiative he did not complete it. On the other hand, the youngster, Lamine Yamal once again gave a recital. He showed that this year, if he does not manage to lift it in his hands, it will happen tomorrow or the day after. The future and the present are his!.
Lamine Yamal continues to accumulate merits that could at least be in contention for the 2025 Ballon d'Or. Individually, Thursday's match was a one-on-one with Ousmane Dembélé, considered the other leading candidate to win it, and the battle couldn't have been more uneven. While Lamine completed a brace and actively participated in the 1-0 goal scored by his friend Nico Williams (22’) , assisted by Oyarzabal , Dembélé was a shadow of the player he has been this season for Paris Saint-Germain. And while what happens in a Nations League semifinal doesn't carry as much weight as what happens in other matches, like a Champions League final, it's still just another grain of sand in the mountain that Lamine builds every match.
🤔 The best player in the world? #NationsLeague pic.twitter.com/2zs2aQ26SB
— UEFA EURO (@UEFAEURO) June 5, 2025
The numbers for both sides speak for themselves. Lamine Yamal (54’, 67; pen) , in addition to the two goals and the aforementioned assist, won 10 of the 12 duels he was involved in, completed two of his three dribbles, and was fouled four times by a French defense that didn't know how to stop him. Special mention in this regard is made of the fact that Theo Hernández, an experienced and battle-hardened player, had one of the most uncomfortable nights of his career, more restrained than usual, inevitably influenced by Lamine.
As for Dembélé, he didn't find the net with any of his four shots, although he came close to scoring on one of them when his shot hit the woodwork. Although his passing wasn't entirely bad, he didn't register a single assist. It's worth noting that when he left the field, the score was 4-1 (Mbappe 60’ pen) . In this regard, special mention should be made of Marc Cucurella, who once again emerged as a superb scorer and made Dembélé's life miserable.
Last Saturday, Luis Enrique claimed that Dembélé deserves the Ballon d'Or and has a case for the first leg, but those who are betting on Lamine winning the award also have their arguments.
The Riojan coach surprised with bold decisions in the starting lineup. He left Cubarsí, Fabián, and Morata on the bench and gave continuity to the Huijsen-Le Normand partnership in defense. In the center, he relied on Zubimendi and Merino to balance the situation, and up front, Oyarzabal was the key player. Up front, Deschamps held nothing back and unleashed his full offensive arsenal: Dembélé, Doué, Olise, and Mbappé, a dizzying quartet. For the record, the following also scored: Merino 25', Pedri 55' and 80' Cherki, 85' OWN GOAL! Vivian! Spain 5-4 France after of a new goal of Randall Kolo Muani.
Despite their combative counterattack, the French team was unable to avoid defeat, marking the first time in 56 years that they had conceded five goals in a single match.
Manos Staramopoulos
Journalist and Analyst of International Football and Affairs
Chief Editor English Zone of Discoveryfootball.com
Athens (Greece)
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