Spain vs France Nations League Preview

The Stuttgart Arena is set to ignite on Thursday, June 5, 2025, as France and Spain lock horns in a UEFA Nations League semi-final that feels like a final in all but name. This isn’t just a rematch of their Euro 2024 semi-final, where Spain’s Lamine Yamal stole the show; it’s a showdown between two footballing powerhouses with a history of delivering drama. France, the 2021 Nations League champions, are hungry to reclaim the trophy and build momentum for the 2026 World Cup.

Spain, the defending champions and Euro 2024 winners, are chasing history as the first team to win the Nations League twice. With stars like Kylian Mbappé and Lamine Yamal ready to dazzle, this promises to be a blockbuster. Here’s your guide to the team news, key players, and what to expect when these giants collide.

Team News: France’s Defensive Crisis, Spain’s Barcelona Brigade

France’s preparations have been rocked by a defensive injury crisis that’s left Didier Deschamps scrambling. Three of his preferred back four—Dayot Upamecano, Lucas Hernandez, and Ferland Mendy—are sidelined, forcing a reshuffle. Ibrahima Konaté and Benjamin Pavard are likely to anchor the center-back spots, with Malo Gusto and Theo Hernandez at full-back. The good news? France’s attack is fully loaded, with Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé, and Michael Olise all available after their Champions League exertions with PSG. Youngsters Warren Zaïre-Emery and Bradley Barcola add depth, while goalkeeper Mike Maignan, fresh off a heroic penalty shootout performance against Croatia, is a rock between the posts. Deschamps will need his attacking stars to fire to compensate for the makeshift defense.

Spain, under Luis de la Fuente, are in enviable shape with no major injury concerns. Their squad boasts six Barcelona players—Lamine Yamal, Pedri, Gavi, Dani Olmo, Pau Cubarsí, and Fermín López—fresh off a Champions League semi-final against Inter. Real Betis’ Isco makes a triumphant return to the national team after a six-year absence, adding experience to a youthful squad. Center-back Dean Huijsen, the 19-year-old Bournemouth star who switched allegiances from the Netherlands, is another exciting addition. Spain’s depth and cohesion make them a formidable unit, but Deschamps’ tactical nous could exploit any overconfidence from the Euro 2024 champions.

Key Players: The Stars Who Could Steal the Show

Kylian Mbappé (France)
The Real Madrid superstar and France captain remains the focal point of Les Bleus. Mbappé’s blistering pace and clinical finishing (five goals in the Nations League this season) make him a constant threat. His performance in the quarter-final against Croatia, where he scored and led France to a 5-4 penalty shootout win, showed his big-game mentality. Spain’s defense will need to be at their best to contain him, especially after his quiet showing in their Euro 2024 clash.

Lamine Yamal (Spain)
At just 17, the Barcelona winger is already a global superstar. His four assists and Goal of the Tournament at Euro 2024, including a stunner against France, cemented his reputation. Yamal’s dribbling, vision, and composure under pressure make him Spain’s X-factor. If France’s depleted defense gives him space, he could run riot again in the Nations League.

We close our 2024-25 season Power Rankings and Lamine Yamal tops the U-23 Players list. Agree with the FINAL Top-20 picks? pic.twitter.com/SMNy1g0A4n

— 365Scores (@365Scores) June 1, 2025

Aurélien Tchouaméni (France)
The Real Madrid midfielder is France’s engine room, blending defensive grit with precise passing. With Spain’s midfield trio of Pedri, Gavi, and Dani Olmo likely to dominate possession, Tchouaméni’s ability to break up play and launch transitions will be crucial. His battle with Pedri could dictate the Nations League game’s tempo.

Pedri (Spain)
The Barcelona maestro is the heartbeat of Spain’s midfield. His ability to dictate play, evade pressure, and create chances (three assists in the Nations League) makes him a nightmare for opponents. Pedri’s chemistry with Gavi and Olmo gives Spain a fluid, attacking edge, but he’ll need to stay sharp against France’s physical midfield.

Recent Form: France’s Resilience, Spain’s Dominance

France have shown their trademark resilience in the Nations League, navigating a tricky group with Croatia, Scotland, and Poland before edging past Croatia 5-4 on penalties in the quarter-finals. Their 2-0 second-leg win in Paris, after a 2-0 loss in Split, showcased their ability to turn games around, with Maignan’s penalty saves and Mbappé’s leadership proving decisive. France’s attack has been potent, scoring 15 goals in their last eight matches, but their defensive injuries have led to occasional lapses, conceding in five of those games.

Spain, meanwhile, are in scintillating form, unbeaten in their last nine Nations League matches outside Spain (W5 D4). Their quarter-final triumph over the Netherlands, sealed in a dramatic penalty shootout, highlighted their depth and composure. La Roja’s 18 goals in eight Nations League games this season reflect their attacking prowess, with Yamal, Álvaro Morata, and Olmo leading the charge. A 2-2 draw with the Netherlands in the first leg showed they can be tested, but their ability to grind out results makes them favorites.

Tactical Breakdown: A Battle of Styles

Deschamps is likely to deploy a 4-3-3, leaning on Maignan’s shot-stopping and a midfield trio of Tchouaméni, Adrien Rabiot, and Zaïre-Emery to disrupt Spain’s rhythm. Up top, Mbappé will lead the line, flanked by Dembélé and Olise, whose pace could exploit Spain’s high defensive line on the counter. France’s challenge will be balancing their attacking ambition with defensive stability, given the absences at the back. Konaté and Pavard must neutralize Yamal and Morata while avoiding costly mistakes.

Spain’s 4-3-3 under De la Fuente is built on possession and fluidity. Unai Simón will marshal a backline featuring Pedro Porro, Aymeric Laporte, Cubarsí, and Alejandro Balde, with Huijsen as a potential wildcard. The midfield trio of Pedri, Gavi, and Olmo will look to control the game, feeding Yamal and Morata in attack. Spain’s high press and quick transitions could overwhelm France’s patched-up defense, but they’ll need to be wary of Mbappé’s counter-attacking threat. The duel between Yamal and Theo Hernandez on the flank could be a game-changer.

Historical Context: A Rivalry Rekindled

This semi-final is a rematch of the Euro 2024 semi-final, where Spain’s 2-1 victory, thanks to Yamal’s wondergoal and Dani Olmo’s winner, ended France’s hopes. Spain also beat France 2-1 in the 2021 Nations League final, with Mbappé’s controversial goal not enough to stop La Roja. France have a slight edge in competitive meetings, winning three of the last five, but Spain’s recent dominance in major tournaments gives them psychological momentum. Both teams know how to win this competition, with France (2021) and Spain (2023) among the three previous winners alongside Portugal.

Prediction: A Tight, High-Scoring Affair

This matchup is too close to call with certainty. France’s attacking firepower, led by Mbappé, gives them an edge in moments of magic, but their defensive injuries could be their undoing against Spain’s relentless attack. Spain’s cohesion and Yamal’s brilliance make them slight favorites, but France’s experience in high-stakes games and Maignan’s penalty heroics add unpredictability. Expect goals, with both sides likely to score, and the game could come down to a moment of individual brilliance or a set-piece. Spain’s form and depth might just tip the scales, but France won’t go down without a fight.

Where to Watch and Why It Matters

The match kicks off at 9:00 PM CET on June 5 at the Stuttgart Arena, broadcast live on FS1 in the United States, with John Strong and Stu Holden on commentary. European viewers can catch it on UEFA’s broadcast partners, listed on UEFA.com. This semi-final isn’t just about a spot in the final against Germany or Portugal; it’s a chance for Spain to cement their status as Europe’s dominant force and for France to prove they’re still a global powerhouse. With the 2026 World Cup looming, the winner will gain a massive confidence boost. Get ready for a night of fireworks in Stuttgart.

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By Nicky Helfgott – NickyHelfgott1 on X (Twitter)

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