Spain beat France in dramatic game, meet Portugal in UEFA Nations League
By Yadnom Awu/ Asaba
It was a night of great drama tonight in the second semi final tie of the UEFA Nations League Championship when Spain beat France 5-4.
The result pits Spain against Portugal in the final game on Sunday.
France had seized control of the game from the onset and had the sharp reflexes of the Spain goalkeeper to blame for not taking the lead.
Spain gradually inched into the encounter, and by the 20th minute had evened possession and domination.
It was not surprising therefore, when, in the 21 St minute , they netted their first through Nico Williams.
They added a second on the 25th minute dot via Merino.
With two goals in their kitty, Spain sustained their pressure on France and had a third with minutes to the end of the first stanza, but it was ruled offside.
On resumption, Spain rekindled the first stanza pressure and netted a third in the 49th minute via a penalty converted by mesmeric Lamine Yamal.
The ovation that greeted the goal had hardly died when Spain scored a fourth through Pedri.
France got one back in the 58th minute when talisman, Kylian Mbappe, scored from a spot kick after a Spain defender had committed an offence in the vital area that led to the penalty award.
But Spain reestablished command and netted their fifth of the game through Yamal, who made it his brace for the night.
But France fought back and netted their second in the 76th minute through a virtual bicycle kick by debutant Cherki.
They got their third of the night on a platter when, under pressure, Spain defender, Vivien, scored an own goal in the 82nd minute.
The epic drama continued in the 3rd minute of added time when Kulomani netted the fourth for France, thus depicting their great comeback.
However, Spain carried the day by 5 goals to four.
The result means France will play hosts, Germany in the third place match, while Spain, the defending champions, face off with Portugal which beat Germany 2-1 in the first semi final tie on Wednesday night.
The third place and final games hold on Sunday in Stuttgart
