In a spectacular showdown in Stuttgart, Spain defeated France 5-4 to qualify for the UEFA Nations League 2025 final against Portugal.
The match featured a standout performance by Lamine Yamal, while Ousmane Dembélé and Désiré Doué failed to live up to expectations.
Spanish coach Luis de la Fuente’s tactical decisions also came under scrutiny.
🌟 Lamine Yamal, Spain’s Prodigy
At just 17 years old, Lamine Yamal once again proved his extraordinary talent, scoring a brace against France and taking his tally to 48 goal contributions in 57 matches this season
(source).
His first goal, a beautiful curling shot with his left foot, opened the scoring for Spain. His second came from the penalty spot.
Yamal was named Man of the Match after winning 10 of 12 duels and attempting five shots on goal
(source).
❌ Dembélé and Doué: Underwhelming Performances
Ousmane Dembélé, expected to be one of France’s key attacking threats, struggled to make an impact.
Despite a strong club season, he remained mostly anonymous and failed to break down the Spanish defense.
Désiré Doué also had a difficult evening. Despite his undeniable potential, he failed to influence the midfield, showing a lack of precision in his passing and drive in his actions.
🧠 Luis de la Fuente’s Tactical Decisions Under Fire
With Spain leading 5-1, Luis de la Fuente made a series of defensive substitutions, taking off key attacking players.
These changes seemed to destabilize the team, allowing France to mount a late comeback and reduce the score to 5-4
(source).
His game management has been widely criticized, with some observers suggesting it nearly cost Spain their place in the final.
🔍 Tactical Analysis: Brilliant but Fragile Spain
Spain started the game with impressive attacking intensity, exploiting the space left by the French defense.
The combinations between Yamal, Nico Williams, and Pedri overwhelmed the French backline.
However, the second-half substitutions disrupted the team’s balance, exposing Spain to repeated French attacks.
⚽ Final Thoughts: A Victory Full of Lessons
This semifinal showcased Lamine Yamal’s exceptional ability while exposing the shortcomings of Dembélé and Doué.
Luis de la Fuente’s tactical choices, while ultimately successful, raised serious questions.
Spain now moves on to face Portugal in the final, while France will compete for third place.
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