Spain, France clash in Nation’s League semi-final

Reigning UEFA Nations League champions Spain face France in the semi-finals of the 2024/25 tournament. The winner will meet either Germany or Portugal in the final on June 8, while the loser plays in the third-place match the same day.

Spain topped League A Group 4 with 16 points from six matches and overcame the Netherlands in a thrilling quarter-final. Both legs ended 2-2 in regular time before extra-time goals led to a 3-3 aggregate draw. Spain won 5-4 on penalties.

Unbeaten in 20 matches (15 wins, 5 draws) since March 2023, Spain have scored two or more goals in 16 of those games but have not kept a clean sheet in their last four Nations League matches, conceding at least twice in each of the last three.

They aim to become the first nation to retain the Nations League title since the competition’s launch in 2018.

France finished top of Group A2 on goal difference and overturned a 2-0 deficit to eliminate Croatia in the quarter-finals. Goals from Michael Olise and Ousmane Dembele took the game to penalties, where Mike Maignan’s save and Dayot Upamecano’s final kick secured a 5-4 win.

Despite falling short in the 2022 World Cup final and Euro 2024 semi-finals, France are pushing for their first trophy since winning the 2021 Nations League. Manager Didier Deschamps, who plans to step down after the 2026 World Cup, will want to end his long tenure with silverware.

Spain and France have met five times recently, with results alternating between wins and losses (Spain 2 wins, France 3 wins). Four of those games were decided by one goal.

Meanwhile, Rodri is still out, focusing on recovery with Manchester City, while Ferran Torres is unavailable after recent surgery. Isco could return to the Spanish national team for the first time since 2019.

Gavi is also back from injury and will compete for a midfield role alongside Pedri, Zubimendi, and Fabian Ruiz. Defender Pau Cubarsi returns and may start ahead of Dean Huijsen. Up front, Yamal, Dani Olmo, and Nico Williams are expected to support Mikel Oyarzabal.

As far as France’s team news is concerned, seven players featured in the Champions League final, including standout performers Desire Doue and Ousmane Dembele.

Injuries to Upamecano, Saliba, and Kounde mean Pavard and Malo Gusto are contenders at right-back, while Lucas Hernandez, Lenglet, or Loic Bade may partner Konate at centre-back.

Captain Kylian Mbappe is expected to start, two goals short of his 50th international goal. Rayan Cherki could debut after a strong season with Lyon.