Spain Wins Nations League Semi-final Over France with Yamal Brace

Lamine Yamal, the 17-year-old Barcelona winger, delivered a standout performance by scoring twice and winning a penalty to help Spain defeat France 5-4 in the UEFA Nations League 2025 semifinal, securing Spain's place in the final against Portugal. Yamal was named the match MVP and praised by Spain's coach Luis de la Fuente as the best player in the world, making a strong case for the 2025 Ballon d’Or. His teammate and Ballon d’Or rival, Paris Saint-Germain's Ousmane Dembele, who had recently won a treble including the UEFA Champions League, was less impactful in the match. Yamal emphasized that the best way to settle debates is on the pitch and expressed pride in Spain reaching the final. Spain dominated much of the match with a 5-1 lead before France mounted a late comeback, but Yamal’s decisive contributions were key to the victory. Both Yamal and Dembele are considered frontrunners for the 2025 Ballon d’Or after impressive club and international seasons.