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Spain 5-4 France, Nations League SF: ESP, FRA Involved In Nine-goal Thriller

Lamine Yamal won the battle of Ballon d’Or contenders on Thursday by scoring twice as Spain eclipsed France 5-4 in their Nations League semifinal. The 17-year-old Yamal outshone French counterparts Désiré Doué and Ousmane Dembélé as Spain initially ran riot against Didier Deschamps’ tired-looking team to book its place in Sunday’s final against Portugal. Portugal defeated host nation Germany 2-1 on Wednesday. Thursday’s game had been billed as a contest between young stars, but it was clear that Paris Saint-Germain’s Champions League win in Munich on Saturday had added more weight to French legs with PSG stars Doué and Dembélé disappointing.

UEFA Nations League Semi-final: Spain vs France | Photo: AP/Matthias Schrader

Spanish players celebrate after the Nations League semifinal soccer match between Spain and France in Stuttgart, Germany.

UEFA Nations League Semi-final: Spain vs France
UEFA Nations League Semi-final: Spain vs France | Photo: AP/Matthias Schrader

France's head coach Didier Deschamps and players walk off the pitch after the Nations League semifinal soccer match between Spain and France in Stuttgart, Germany.

UEFA Nations League Semi-final: Spain vs France
UEFA Nations League Semi-final: Spain vs France | Photo: AP/Martin Meissner

France's Kylian Mbappe reacts after the Nations League semifinal soccer match between Spain and France at the MHPArena, in Stuttgart, Germany.

UEFA Nations League Semi-final: Spain vs France
UEFA Nations League Semi-final: Spain vs France | Photo: AP/Martin Meissner

France's Randal Kolo Muani, left, scores his side's 4th goal against Spain during the Nations League semifinal soccer match between Spain and France at the MHPArena, in Stuttgart, Germany.

UEFA Nations League Semi-final: Spain vs France
UEFA Nations League Semi-final: Spain vs France | Photo: AP/Matthias Schrader

France's Manu Kone, left, and Spain's Marc Cucurella fight for the ball during the Nations League semifinal soccer match between Spain and France in Stuttgart, Germany.

UEFA Nations League Semi-final: Spain vs France
UEFA Nations League Semi-final: Spain vs France | Photo: AP/Matthias Schrader

Spanish players celebrate after a goal during the Nations League semifinal soccer match between Spain and France in Stuttgart, Germany.

UEFA Nations League Semi-final: Spain vs France
UEFA Nations League Semi-final: Spain vs France | Photo: AP/Matthias Schrader

Spain's Pedri celebrates after scoring during the Nations League semifinal soccer match between Spain and France in Stuttgart, Germany.

UEFA Nations League Semi-final: Spain vs France
UEFA Nations League Semi-final: Spain vs France | Photo: AP/Matthias Schrader

Spain's Lamine Yamal waits to take a penalty shot during the Nations League semifinal soccer match between Spain and France in Stuttgart, Germany.

UEFA Nations League Semi-final: Spain vs France
UEFA Nations League Semi-final: Spain vs France | Photo: AP/Matthias Schrader

France's Adrien Rabiot fouls Spain's Lamine Yamal inside the penalty box during the Nations League semifinal soccer match between Spain and France in Stuttgart, Germany.

UEFA Nations League Semi-final: Spain vs France
UEFA Nations League Semi-final: Spain vs France | Photo: AP/Martin Meissner

Spain's Mikel Merino celebrates after scoring his side's second goal against France during the Nations League semifinal soccer match between Spain and France at the MHPArena, in Stuttgart, Germany.

UEFA Nations League Semi-final: Spain vs France
UEFA Nations League Semi-final: Spain vs France | Photo: AP/Martin Meissner

Spain's Nico Williams celebrates after scoring the opening goal against France during the Nations League semifinal soccer match between Spain and France at the MHPArena, in Stuttgart, Germany.

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