Spain saw off France in a thrilling fight to the end of their Nations League semi-final. La Roja remained on top in their rivalry, winning 5-4 on the night after sacrificing a four goal cushion in the final fifteen minutes.
In truth, the two teams were never that far apart across the action, but the large advantage allowed all to see the sizeable quality that will be in the Spanish ranks for years to come.
Here are four things that we learned from this success for Spain.
If it is a big stage, you can bet your bottom dollar Yamal is going to give you something to remember.
That is a bold statement to attach to any player, let alone a 17 year old. But the evidence is piling up rapidly to a point that no one can deny his right to sit among the best players in the world right now.
Lamine Yamal cheekily laid down the gauntlet to Ousmane Dembele, whose central role in a historic treble for Paris Saint-Germain gave a major boost to his prospects for the Ballon d’Or. Also in contention for the individual award, the winger would suggest that this semi-final should play a part in swinging who it would go to. He left the pitch putting on a performance befitting his confidence.
The teenager tucked away his first penalty of his senior career after missing in a shootout against the Netherlands in the previous round and became the youngest player to score in the semi-final of the Nations League. Then, he put the ball in the net with a toe poke to bag a brace on the evening.
Those moments do not account for the dribbling, smart small space handling of the ball under pressure, and bravado that typify his game and were visible in Stuttgart. The stage has been set for Yamal to take over the scene as an entertainer at the elite level and he is loving every moment.
Yamal is, by far, the best forward for La Roja. But he has a wonderful wingman to back him up.
Nico Williams was a standout figure from the Euros in 2024 with two goals, one of which was in the final against England, an assist, and dynamic displays on the left. When he did not earn his move to Barcelona to tag team with Yamal, many thought he would have a stellar season at Athletic Club.
It did not pan out as he would have liked. He had single-digit output for goals and assists in La Liga, endured a humbling to Man United in the Europa League, and struggles with strains in his groin.
However, his highlight reels remain explosive for La Roja, and the 22-year-old has extended that set.
He notched his sixth strike for his nation to break the deadlock, set up Pedri to pick his spot for the fourth strike, and was wreaking havoc on the wing as he punished Pierre Kalulu on his debut for Les Bleus. His speed, relentlessness, and momentum on the transition to complement Yamal have given the Spanish an edge they have seldom seen— even in their best days at the start of the last decade.
- Mikel Merino’s most impactful role is clear
What will always be ingrained in the Spanish identity is care for quality in ball possession. The men in the middle of the park pitch the tempo and have pride of place in the execution of this strategy.
One of their midfielders has highlighted certain strengths in his repertoire at club level. He has taken those traits to the international scene and allowed the Spanish to set themselves apart in the first hour.
Mikel Merino suffered a stilted start to his stint at Arsenal with a shoulder injury and spells where he stuttered in the middle of the park. But once Mikel Arteta turned to the 28-year-old as his answer for the striker shortage in the squad, he presented an altogether different proposition on the pitch.
Distant from deep positions, a slow and sometimes sloppy turning circle cannot cost his team in the same way. On the other hand, his aerial ability and technical quality stood out in scoring situations.
Luis de la Fuente felt that he should shuffle the pack in midfield because of these two truths. After a rough first fifteen minutes, Merino moved closer to fellow Basque Mikel Oyarzabal and Pedri played deeper. He got more fluidity out of the first phase from Pedri and Merino moved expertly in connection with his old club teammate from Real Sociedad to slot the second strike of the first half.
This is not luck: moving Merino into an advanced midfield role looks like the best way forward.
- Spain are gunning for generational glory
He is one of the capable players in a camp that are enjoying a prosperous present with de la Fuente.
The 63-year-old had spent over a decade in the Spanish youth circuit when he replaced Luis Enrique. Even though La Roja crashed out in the Round of 16 of the 2022 World Cup, the outgoing manager, whose excellence has been clear in Paris, demanded respect. Hiring a ‘company man’, who suffered a shocking 2-0 loss to Scotland in his second game, seemed to be a misplaced step for many observers.
But the federation were right to go with one of their own. In months, he guided the team to a triumph in the 2023 Nations League final, beating Croatia on penalties, and the next year, Spain won all seven outings on the way to the trophy in the European Championships. The good times are back.
Now, they could be the first nation to win two editions of the Nations Leagueif they defeat their fellow Iberians, Portugal, on Sunday in Munich. It would be a remarkable feat from their manager, who has instilled a culture of confidence into a camp with a fresh feeling and faces of fearless youths.
Dean Huijsen is the latest example of a precocious talent whom de la Fuente has empowered to take on the best that Europe has to offer. He suggested in his post-match press conference there are more prodigious players in the pipeline. The next great generation might be marking out their territory.