The European Champion Remains Unstoppable

No one can stop Spain from the fairground ride it has been on for the past two years. Not even France, perhaps the other great European team of the moment, could halt the phenomenal display of the reigning European champion, despite closing in on a four-goal deficit and nearly equalising. Before the final whistle in a night of madness, La Roja scored five against their rival with a devastating goal-scoring inspiration, led by a brace from Lamine Yamal, a prince who claims the throne of world football match after match.

Curiously, the firepower was initially on the Spanish side despite France's radically offensive lineup, featuring four attackers of the calibre of Olise, Doué, Dembélé, and Mbappé. Deschamps held nothing back despite the expected fatigue of PSG players, and the French team opted for pressure to try to disrupt Spain's ball movement and exploit their threat in transitions.

The start was electrifying, under the threat of Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams, but also with a serious warning from France after Dembélé stole the ball from Merino, excelling in his run and final pass to Mbappé, who was met by Unai Simón's intervention. A shot to the crossbar by Theo Hernández showed that France's firepower needs little to ignite, but unexpectedly, the French eleven took the ball from Spain.

La Roja couldn't find its place in the match, with Pedri less involved in the playmaking due to a different position than he usually occupies at Barça. It was crucial to step forward through possession, Spain's natural ally, as demonstrated by the long play, with over twenty passes, leading to Lamine Yamal's cross to the heart of the area, where Oyarzabal showed his skill to hold the ball and assist Nico Williams, who struck unerringly into the net.

It was a turning point that dismantled France's hopeful start. Pedri took the lead, and Merino gained ground on the pitch, so much so that the Navarrese celebrated again in Stuttgart, as in the Euro quarter-finals, with another assist from Oyarzabal. In the blink of an eye, it was 2-0 for a team touched by magic.

France responded well to the double blow but encountered the prowess of Unai Simón, secure against every attempt from the powerful French attack. Doué, twice, and Dembélé were thwarted by the Athletic goalkeeper's skill. A match balanced in terms of sensations could have been settled by halftime if just a few centimetres hadn't ruled out a stunning goal by Huijsen after a marvellous set-piece and Zubimendi's headed assist, narrowly offside.

After the halftime break, the match resumed with a renewed intensity. Amidst the back-and-forth, Spain was once again more decisive than its rival. La Roja stole the ball, Nico Williams ran, and Lamine Yamal did the rest, drawing a penalty from Rabiot, which the Barcelona prodigy converted as if it were the simplest thing in the world.

The queen of Europe smelled French blood and switched to exhibition mode. Pedri, as if performing a circus trick, teamed up with Nico, everyone's friend, to dazzle the crowd with absolute plasticity in control and finishing. France, on the ropes, clung to a penalty for Porro's hold on Mbappé to soften the blow through the Madrid striker.

However, the French punishment was not over. The world's best player today, a minor who amazes every day, rounded off the five-goal haul. Lamine Yamal capitalised on a long pass with an exceptional toe-poke finish, demonstrating with the goal that sealed the five-goal tally that his hat is full of unexpected tricks.

The Nations League final seemed in the bag, but the vibrant night lacked its dose of drama, which came with Spain's step back and the goals from Cherki, Vivian's own goal, and Kolo Muani, in stoppage time. With a scare included, the European champion remains in a state of grace.