Date: 5 June 2025

Venue: Stuttgart Arena, Germany

Final Score: Spain 5–4 France

In one of the most electrifying matches in UEFA Nations League history, Spain edged France 5–4 in Stuttgart to book a place in Sunday’s final against Portugal.

The clash was a goal-laden spectacle that saw Spain’s youthful flair rise above France’s late resurgence in a truly unforgettable semifinal.

First-Half Masterclass by La Roja

Spain burst out of the blocks, racing to a 4–0 lead within the first 35 minutes. Winger Nico Williams opened the scoring with a well-placed finish before Mikel Merino doubled the lead.

The standout performer, Lamine Yamal, dazzled with two quick goals—showcasing his composure and attacking maturity at just 17 years old.

France looked stunned and struggled to contain Spain’s high press and intricate passing play, heading into the break 4–1 down, having pulled one back through a Kylian Mbappé penalty.

France’s Furious Comeback Falls Short

Spain extended their lead to 5–1 early in the second half, thanks to a well-taken strike by Pedri. But France refused to surrender.

Goals from Rayan Cherki, a Dani Vivian own goal, and a stoppage-time header by Randal Kolo Muani sparked hope of an improbable comeback.

Despite their spirited surge, the clock ran out on Les Bleus as Spain held on to seal their place in the final.

Unai Simón’s Crucial Interventions

While Spain’s attack stole the spotlight, goalkeeper Unai Simón played a key role in preserving the win. His crucial stops, particularly late in the second half, were instrumental in staving off France’s rally.

Man of the Match: Lamine Yamal (Spain)

The 17-year-old Barcelona forward was named Man of the Match after scoring two brilliant goals and consistently terrorizing the French defense.

Yamal’s movement, intelligence, and poise on the ball belied his age, reinforcing his status as one of football’s most exciting young talents.

Next Stop: Munich Final

Spain will now face Portugal in the final on Sunday, June 8, at the Allianz Arena in Munich. La Roja will aim to defend their Nations League crown and lift the trophy for the second consecutive time.

Match Stats Snapshot

Goals: Spain (Williams 9’, Merino 17’, Yamal 22’, 33’, Pedri 48’)

France (Mbappé 41’ pen, Cherki 61’, Vivian OG 78’, Kolo Muani 90+3’)

Man of the Match: Lamine Yamal

Possession: Spain 56% – France 44%

Shots on Target: Spain 7 – France 6

It was a night of drama, goals, and a new chapter in Yamal’s burgeoning legend.

In a thrilling UEFA Nations League semi-final at Munich’s Allianz Arena on June 4, 2025, Portugal overcame a second-half deficit to defeat Germany 2–1, securing their spot in the final.

Match Summary

After a goalless first half, Germany broke the deadlock in the 48th minute when Florian Wirtz headed in a precise cross from Joshua Kimmich.

However, Portugal responded emphatically. In the 62nd minute, substitute Francisco Conceição unleashed a stunning long-range strike to level the score.

Just six minutes later, Cristiano Ronaldo netted his 137th international goal, converting a cross from Nuno Mendes to give Portugal the lead. 

Germany pressed for an equalizer, with notable efforts including a shot that struck the post and a double save by Portuguese goalkeeper Diogo Costa.

Despite their efforts, Germany couldn’t find a way past the resilient Portuguese defense.

Key Moments

48’ – Goal for Germany: Florian Wirtz heads in from a Joshua Kimmich cross.

62’ – Equalizer for Portugal: Francisco Conceição scores with a powerful shot from distance.

68’ – Winner for Portugal: Cristiano Ronaldo converts a cross from Nuno Mendes.

Tactical Analysis

Germany, under Julian Nagelsmann, started with a 3-4-2-1 formation, aiming to control the midfield and press high.

Their strategy paid off early in the second half with Wirtz’s goal.

However, Portugal’s manager, Roberto Martínez, made impactful substitutions, bringing on Conceição and Vitinha, which shifted the momentum in Portugal’s favor.

The fresh legs and tactical adjustments allowed Portugal to exploit spaces in Germany’s defense, leading to their comeback. 

Looking Ahead

With this victory, Portugal advances to the UEFA Nations League final, where they will face the winner of the Spain vs. France semi-final. The final is scheduled for Sunday, June 8, 2025, at the Allianz Arena in Munich. 

Germany will compete in the third-place playoff against the loser of the Spain vs. France match, also on June 8, at the MHPArena in Stuttgart.

This match showcased Portugal’s resilience and tactical flexibility, as they overcame a deficit against a strong German side to secure a place in the final.

Luis Enrique made history once again by guiding Paris Saint-Germain to their first-ever UEFA Champions League title in the 2024/25 season, becoming only the seventh manager in European football history to win the competition with two different clubs.

PSG’s 5–0 demolition of Inter Milan not only delivered the long-awaited trophy to Paris but also secured Enrique’s place among a distinguished group of tactical greats.

The Exclusive Club: Managers to Win the Champions League with Two Clubs

Carlo Ancelotti

AC Milan (2003, 2007)

Real Madrid (2014, 2022, 2024)

Ernst Happel

Feyenoord (1970)

Hamburg (1983)

Ottmar Hitzfeld

Borussia Dortmund (1997)

Bayern Munich (2001)

Jupp Heynckes

Real Madrid (1998)

Bayern Munich (2013)

José Mourinho

FC Porto (2004)

Inter Milan (2010)

Pep Guardiola

Barcelona (2009, 2011)

Manchester City (2023)

Luis Enrique

Barcelona (2015)

Paris Saint-Germain (2025)

A Tale of Two Triumphs

2015 – Barcelona:

Luis Enrique led one of the most formidable squads of the modern era to a treble-winning season, capped by a 3–1 Champions League final win over Juventus. The team, driven by the iconic Messi–Suárez–Neymar trio, delivered beautiful, attacking football that swept aside Europe’s best.

2025 – Paris Saint-Germain:

A decade later, Enrique replicated European success with a completely different side. This time, his PSG combined tactical discipline, youth, and flair to crush Inter Milan in the final.

The 5–0 result marked the largest winning margin in a Champions League final and capped a season of dominance, where Enrique’s fingerprints were evident in every tactical decision and player development.

Legacy Sealed

By winning the Champions League with both Barcelona and PSG, Luis Enrique joins a group that includes some of the greatest minds in the game. His inclusion is especially notable given that PSG’s title was the club’s first ever, emphasizing the scale and significance of his achievement.

Enrique’s ability to succeed across different cultures, squads, and footballing philosophies demonstrates his tactical flexibility and leadership.

Unlike others who inherited legacies, Enrique built one from scratch in Paris — blending star talent like Kylian Mbappé and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia with emerging prodigies like Désiré Doué and Senny Mayulu.

Final Word

Luis Enrique is no longer just a champion of Spain — he’s now a conqueror of Europe. Twice.

With two Champions League medals from two different clubs and in two different footballing eras, his place among the managerial elite is secure.

For PSG, he is the architect of a historic European breakthrough. For football, he is now one of only seven to have walked this rare path — and perhaps the only one to have done it with such contrasting sides.