Spain and France Clash in UEFA Nations League Semifinal Thursday

STUTTGART, Germany — Defending champions Spain will face France in the UEFA Nations League semifinal on Thursday, June 5, 2025, at 9 p.m. local time (1900 GMT) at Stuttgart Arena. This match is a rematch of the 2021 final, where Spain was defeated by France.

Spain advanced to this stage by beating the Netherlands in a thrilling quarterfinal that ended 5-5 on aggregate, winning 5-4 on penalties. France also needed penalties to edge past Croatia in their last-eight tie after a 2-2 aggregate draw.

Both Spain and France finished at the top of their League A groups, showcasing their strength as major European football powers. Spain is currently on a 23-match unbeaten streak in competitive international games.

Spain’s memorable 2024 Euro semifinal against France saw them overcome a 1-0 deficit, demonstrating their resilience and ability to rally under pressure. Starlet Lamine Yamal, just 16 years old, scored a stunning equalizer, becoming the youngest-ever goalscorer in European Championship history.

Spain’s squad for this semifinal has some notable absences, including Rodri, Dani Carvajal, and Ferran Torres. However, they remain confident, led by the impressive Yamal and experienced players like Dani Olmo and Álvaro Morata.

On the other side, France will miss several key defenders, including Eduard Camavinga and Jules Koundé. Coach Didier Deschamps acknowledged Spain’s quality and highlighted the challenge his team faces, citing the speed of young talents like Yamal and Nico Williams.

The anticipation builds as both teams aim for a spot in Sunday’s final. The winner will face either hosts Germany or Portugal, who play in the first semifinal on Wednesday.

In terms of previous encounters, Spain has emerged victorious in seven of their last 15 matches against France, including their recent Euro 2024 win. Deschamps emphasized that, despite recent success from Spain, his squad has the experience and technical ability to compete.

The match promises to be an electrifying encounter between two of Europe’s football giants, each aiming to assert dominance in a tournament that has grown in significance since its inception.

As the kickoff approaches, fans eagerly await what could be another classic showdown between these storied rivals.