The " script" of the second Nations League semi-final between defending champions Spain and former champions France seemed to be written by a great director to keep the audience hooked until the last seconds.
Who would have thought that Spain would lead 4-0 and then 5-1 within an hour of the match, only to be almost caught up at the end of the match with a total of 9 goals scored for both sides?
The confrontation between two young talents Desire Doue and Lamine Yamal
People even imagined referee Micheal Oliver adding a few more minutes, enough for the French team to make the most unbelievable comeback in Nations League history.
Rarely getting into arguments on the field, but this time, Kylian Mbappe reacted strongly to the referee when he blew the whistle to end the match sooner than expected...
Not having a strong enough squad, and knowing that they could not match Spain in ball control, coach Didier Deschamps asked the French team to play a crowded defense, ready to make a surprise attack with 4 young, strong, and fast strikers including Desire Doue, Michael Olise, Ousmane Dembele and Kylian Mbappe.
Theo Hernandez and the shot that hit the corner of the Spanish goal
The pragmatic French style of play really made things difficult for Spain in the first 15 minutes and if they had been a little more lucky, Mbappe or Theo Hernandez could have brought home an early opening goal. Spain was like a wild beast lurking, stalking and then launching "killer" attacks.
Nico Williams opens the scoring for Spain
In the 22nd minute, Lamine Yamal combined with Mikel Oyarzabal and the ball was passed to Nico Williams in a very favorable position. The Basque striker easily scored the opening goal to the cheers of more than 20,000 home fans following the team to Stuttgart.
Three minutes later, Mikel Oyarzabal still sent a delicate pass to help teammate Mikel Merino escape, easily shooting past goalkeeper Mike Maignan to double the gap for Spain.
Two quick goals made the French team angry, but unfortunately the angry finishing moves of the "Les Bleus" strikers could not defeat Spanish goalkeeper Unai Simon.
Mikel Merino doubled the lead for "La Roja"
Spain had a goal ruled out late in the first half for offside but a few minutes into the second half, a third goal still came for "La Roja". In the 51st minute, Lamine Yamal carried the ball straight into the penalty area and was fouled by Adrien Rabiot.
Yamal himself took the penalty and succeeded, which was recorded as this guy's first goal from the 11-meter mark.
Lamine Yamal first penalty kick and success
Pedri increased the score to 4-0 for Spain after an assist from Nico Williams in the 52nd minute and the audience began to imagine a devastating victory, similar to PSG's "crushing" of Inter Milan a few days ago in the Champions League final.
Mbappe also scored from 11 meters away
Kylian Mbappe narrowed the gap to 1-4 for France in the 59th minute but that assessment was not shaken, as Lamine Yamal quickly restored the 4-goal gap for Spain with a goal in the 67th minute.
Lamine Yamal completes double, Spain leads 5-1
The fate of the match seemed to have been decided from here, but the "drama" began to appear, especially after coach Luis de la Fuente sent the reserve players onto the field and on the French side, the attacking stars like Dembele, Doue and Olise all had to give way to their teammates.
Rayan Cherki had an impressive performance after coming off the bench
Rayan Cherki, the Lyon player Man City are negotiating to buy, became the most impressive figure in less than half an hour of the final match. The 25-year-old midfielder threw his leg to execute a demi-vole from outside the box in the 79th minute, tearing the net of Unai Simon with a superb goal.
Malo Gusto had a dangerous cross in the 84th minute, forcing Spanish centre-back Dani Vivian to fumble and kick the ball straight into his own net. 3-5 for the French.
Kolo Muani scored the fourth goal but the French still lost
In the 90+3 minute, Rayan Cherki still made a perfect cross for Kolo Muani to head in, shortening the score to 4-5 for the "Gaulois Rooster". Unfortunately, the second half was only extended for 5 minutes and the whistle of referee Michael Oliver really "saved" Spain from the brink.
Coach Luis de la Fuente's team is in the Nations League final for the third consecutive time in four years and is full of hope of becoming the first team to defend the championship.
Spain awaits to face Portugal in the final
Spain will meet their neighbours Portugal in the final at 2am on June 9. France will have to settle for third place against host Germany at 8pm on June 8.
Source: https://nld.com.vn/yamal-toa-sang-trong-dai-tiec-9-ban-tay-ban-nha-thang-phap-ban-ket-nations-league-196250606062610568.htm
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