PLAYER RATINGS | Spain 5-4 France: Les Bleus crash out of Nations League in nine-goal thriller | OneFootball

UEFA Nations League, Semi-final, 05/06/25

France were knocked out of the UEFA Nations League at the semi-final stage in a nine-game thriller in Stuttgart (5-4). Les Bleus, at one point, found themselves four goals down before a late rally almost took the game to extra time.

The Match

Much was made of this game being a shoot-out between Lamine Yamal and Ousmane Dembélé for the Ballon d’Or. There was a gap between the two players on the night, but not one as big as the chasm between the two collectives. Les Bleus had their chances early on, but couldn’t take them.

The same could not be said about Spain. Nico Williams got the first, hammering home Mikel Oyarzabal’s lay-off. It was the latter who set up the second just moments later, this time putting a ball over the top for Mikel Merino to hammer home. La Roja then got the third just after the break after Lamine Yamal went down under a sloppy Adrien Rabiot challenge. He dusted himself off to step up and convert the spot-kick himself.

Less than sixty seconds later and Spain had their fourth thanks to Pedri. It looked like it could get very ugly for France – it already had. Kylian Mbappé’s spot-kick looked to be a simple consolation, especially when Lamine Yamal doubled his account a few minutes later. However, Les Bleus rallied late on. It coincided with Rayan Cherki’s entry. The Olympique Lyonnais forward, nearing a move to Manchester City, scored a spectacular volley before Dani Vivian turned the ball into his own net with five minutes of normal time to play.

In injury time, Randal Kolo Muani headed home a sumptuous Cherki cross to give France hope, however, the mountain proved too big to climb. Spain advance to the final of the Nations League and will face Portugal. Didier Deschamps’ side will face Germany in the third-place play-off on Sunday.

France player ratings

Mike Maignan – 4

Théo Hernandez – 4

Clément Lenglet – 3

The centre-back said that he thought his inclusion in the squad was a joke. He hasn’t played for Les Bleus since 2021, and it showed. He did little to help his case for any further caps in the future. With multiple injuries at the back, this was a chance to put himself back in the frame. He squandered that chance spectacularly.

Ibrahima Konaté – 4

Pierre Kalulu – 2

This was Kalulu’s first match for France and, legitimately, it could be his last. The decision to give him his international debut and leave him hung out to dry against an imperious Williams one-on-one is a questionable one. But beyond the managerial decision, the tactical decisions, Kalulu has a big slice of the blame. He was largely at fault for the first, rushing towards the ball and allowing Williams to get free, whilst he was constantly beaten by the Athletic winger during the night. Deschamps’ decision to hook him just after the hour mark was a merciful one.

Adrien Rabiot – 3

Manu Koné – 4

Michael Olise – 3

Désiré Doué – 5

Kylian Mbappé – 4

Ousmane Dembélé – 6

The only one of France’s starters who can hold their head high. He forced Unai Simon into some really strong saves in the first half and can count himself very unlucky not to get on the scoresheet. He continued to plug away, looked dangerous, and, coming inside, was the only one of France’s attackers to make a meaningful run in behind in the first half. His pressing, as always, was strong, too, and it should have led to a goal early on.

Spain selected player ratings

Unai Simon – 8

Lamine Yamal – 8

It took a little while for Yamal to really make an impact on the match. He flittered in and out of the game in the first half, showing moments of technical brilliance without really taking a hold on the game. That changed during a 25-minute spell in the second half. If this is a match that will have a bearing on who wins the Ballon d’Or, he has done his chances of winning the individual trophy no harm at all.

Mikel Oyarzabal – 8

The first two goals were all about him. He had the strength, somehow, to hold off Ibrahima Konaté and lay off Williams for the first and had the sight and execution to put the ball over the top for Merino on the second.

Nico Williams – 9

GFFN | Freddie Aston