Spain and France meet in a Nations League semi-final in Stuttgart on Thursday with both teams looking to reach another final and add to their recent trophy haul. This is a repeat of the 2021 Nations League final and the Euro 2024 semi-final, with Spain winning their last high-stakes encounter.
Road to the Semi-Final
Spain
Luis de la Fuente’s side are in great form, unbeaten in their last 20 games across all competitions, 15 wins and 5 draws. They won their Nations League group with ease and then edged the Netherlands in a thrilling two-legged quarter-final, 5-4 on penalties after both legs finished 2-2. Spain are the reigning Nations League champions and are looking to be the first team to retain the trophy since its inception in 2018.
But Spain’s defence has been vulnerable in this competition, conceding twice or more in their last three Nations League games and not keeping a clean sheet in their last five. They’ve scored two or more in 16 of their last 20 games.
France
Didier Deschamps’ France are looking for their second Nations League title after their 2021 win. Les Bleus bounced back from a disappointing 2022-23 season by winning their group and then coming back from 2-0 down in the first leg against Croatia in the quarter-finals. Michael Olise and Ousmane Dembélé’s goals forced penalties, and Mike Maignan’s save and Dayot Upamecano’s winning penalty sealed another 5-4 shootout win.
France have been inconsistent in recent tournaments but are a force to be reckoned with, with depth and attacking quality led by Kylian Mbappé. But they are missing several key defenders due to injury, including William Saliba, Jules Koundé, and Dayot Upamecano, so Deschamps has to field a makeshift backline.
Team News & Predicted Lineups
Spain
- Out: Rodri (rested), Ferran Torres (appendicitis)
- Isco is in contention but may not start; Mikel Oyarzabal and Alvaro Morata for the No. 9 role* Starting XI (4-3-3): Unai Simón; Óscar Mingueza, Pau Cubarsí, Robin Le Normand, Marc Cucurella; Gavi, Martin Zubimendi, Pedri; Lamine Yamal, Oyarzabal, Nico Williams
France
- Out: William Saliba, Jules Kounde, Dayot Upamecano (injuries); Champions League finalists (Barcola, Doue, Dembele, Thuram) unlikely to start
- Starting XI (4-3-3): Mike Maignan; Benjamin Pavard, Ibrahima Konaté, Lucas Hernandez, Lucas Digne; Aurélien Tchouaméni, Manu Koné, Adrien Rabiot; Michael Olise, Randal Kolo Muani, Kylian Mbappé
Stats
- Spain are unbeaten in their last 20 games across all competitions.
- Spain have not kept a clean sheet in their last five Nations League games, conceding twice or more in the last three.
- France have won 3 and lost 2 of their last 5 games against Spain.
- 4 of the last 5 games between these teams have ended 1-0.
- Spain beat France in the Euro 2024 semi-final and are the current Nations League champions.
Player to Watch
Kylian Mbappe
A lot is riding on how Mbappe performs after a goal-laden debut season for Real Madrid, which earned him the European Golden Boot. Didier Deschamps will want Mbappe to be on fire to lead the team into the Nations League Final.
Moreover, the striker must be hurting from watching his former side, PSG, win the Champions League and will want to make a point on the pitch. Even though Ousmane Dembele has emerged, Mbappe is France’s main attacker, and he must prove that with a big performance against Spain.
Spain vs France Prediction
Spain 2-1 France
France are a good team with the players they have, but their defensive setup for this round of international games raises doubts about their ability to beat Spain. There are big misses like William Saliba and Jules Kounde, and it’s time to see if Didier Deschamps has anyone better than those two to marshal the backline.
Spain have all their players fit and have all the ingredients to beat France. Spain are the favourites to make it to the final, and they might do that with the same scoreline as their last game against France, which was at the Euros.
Spain vs France Live Stream
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