Nations League: France vs. Spain – Press reviews

The second Nations League semifinal turns into a spectacle. European champions Spain temporarily dismantle World Cup runners-up France – but, curiously, still have to worry in the end.

The brilliant 5-4 (2-0) semifinal victory against World Cup runners-up France resembled a Spanish gala for a long time before the match in Stuttgart almost turned around. "France is a great team. They make you suffer, that's normal. But we're very happy about the win," proud double-goal scorer Yamal told RTVE.

Read what the international press is writing about the game here.

"Mundo deportivo": "Lamine's Spain defended its title in Munich. La Roja defeated France after a 70-minute attacking performance featuring a brace from the Barça winger, the semifinal MVP. Williams, Merino, and Pedri also scored, but the French showed their pride and made things difficult in the closing minutes."

"Sport": "Spain's talent overcomes France's exuberance. Luis de la Fuente's team, featuring a superb Lamine, will face Portugal in Sunday's final and fight for their second Nations League title. (...) Spain is a symphony orchestra under the direction of Pedri and with two outstanding violinists: Nico and Lamine, the Mozart of football."

"Marca": "A spectacle of a new era. Spain dances and scores with a brace from Lamine Yamal before France reacts and causes a sensation until the last minute."

"As": "The knockout champion. Spain beat France and defended its title against Portugal. Magic from Oyarzabal and a brace from Lamine. (...) It would be unfair not to praise other performances, such as that of Unai Simón, who brilliantly parried the French shots, but Oyarzabal's performance was decisive."

"L'Équipe": "Thanks to this performance, the prodigy Lamine Yamal once again enters the history books. He is the first underage player since Pelé in the 1958 World Cup semifinal against Brazil (2-5) to score at least three goals against the French team (including the European Championship)."

"Le Figaro": "Tamed by Yamal and Spain, 'Les Bleus' bid farewell to the final at the end of a crazy match."

"Sports.fr": "Lamine Yamal was in Ballon d'Or mode."

"Le Parisien: "A nightmare and then a late awakening for 'Les Bleus'."

"Tuttosport": "Spain defeated France in the Nations League semifinals in Stuttgart in a high-scoring and emotional match."

"Gazzetta dello Sport": "It's increasingly Lamine Yamal's Spain. While waiting for his 18th birthday (July 13), the young Barça player scored two goals in La Roja's absurd 5-4 victory over France."

"Telegraph": "Spain's teenage sensation Lamine Yamal inspired his country to a thrilling 5-4 win over France, sending the defending champions to their third consecutive Nations League final against Portugal."

"Guardian": "Spain led 4-0 and 5-1, but France refused to give up and came close to a comeback for the history books."

"Daily Mail": "It may be hard to get up for a competition like this, especially as a superstar at the end of a grueling season. But they gave us a masterpiece of attacking football and it was an entertaining game throughout."