The UEFA Nations League discussion

[The Bald Eagle]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1930358695361425489

Ronaldo scores Portugal ahead of Germany now in the Semi-Final 2-1

 

[The Bald Eagle]

Spain vs France...second semi final in progress now. The winner will face Portugal in the final

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Lamine Yamal scored twice as Spain produced a superb display to beat France in a nine-goal thriller and set up a Nations League final with Portugal.

The 17-year-old Barcelona forward, one of the contenders to win the Ballon d'Or for the best player in the world this season, helped his side into 4-0 and 5-1 leads in Stuttgart.

But they were nearly pegged back as France staged a thrilling fightback, scoring three times in the last 11 minutes in a desperate attempt to take the game into extra time.

But Spain held on and they will face Portugal in the final in Munich on Sunday, while France take on Germany in Stuttgart in the third-fourth play-off.

Leading 2-0 through goals from Nico Williams and Mikel Merino, Yamal earned a penalty when he was fouled by Adrien Rabiot, and calmly sent goalkeeper Mike Maignan the wrong way from the spot.

Pedri made it 4-0, collecting a Williams pass and clinically finishing before France pulled a goal back through Kylian Mbappe's penalty following a foul by Tottenham's Pedro Porro.

But Yamal grabbed his second and Spain's fifth with a fine low strike and the game looked over.

However, France substitute Rayan Cherki sparked the revival when, on his international debut, he collected Mbappe's pass, flicked the ball up and volleyed home a wonderful strike from 20 yards out to make it 5-2.

Spanish defender Dani Vivian slid the ball into his own net with six minutes left and then, in the third minute of injury time, Randal Kolo Muani headed in Cherki's cross to make it 5-4, but France could not find an equaliser.

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Kylian Mbappe scored his 50th international goal as France beat Nations League hosts Germany in their third-place play-off.

The captain finished well for the 45th-minute opener following a pass from Real Madrid team-mate Aurelien Tchouameni.

And Mbappe set up the second goal six minutes from time when he pounced on a mistake from Robin Koch and unselfishly squared the ball for Michael Olise to slot into the empty net.

Germany had their chances, though, with both a penalty award and goal overturned by the video assistant referee (VAR).

First Karim Adeyemi was awarded a spot-kick after being brought down by France keeper Mike Maignan, but the Germany forward was instead booked for diving after a VAR check.

And then Deniz Undav's effort was disallowed after Niclas Fullkrug was deemed to have fouled Adrien Rabiot in the build-up.

Adeyemi also had three shots saved by Chelsea target Maignan, while Florian Wirtz struck a post.

But France could have added to their goal haul in Stuttgart too. Marcus Thuram's curling strike hit the post, while Mbappe missed the target several times and forced a great save from Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

Julian Nagelsmann's Germany have now failed to win in three games, including Wednesday's semi-final defeat by Portugal.

Captain Joshua Kimmich told RTL: "We should have been leading 3-0 after six minutes. Then we went into the break a goal behind.

"We lost patience too early and lost our structure in the second half. We made too many mistakes and gave them what they wanted."

Les Bleus boss Didier Deschamps added: "Mike [Maignan] was a fantastic last line of defence and he kept us in it at the start.

"I thought the scoreline at half-time against Spain [2-0] was incredibly severe. I'm not going to sit here and lie to you and say that we deserved to go into half-time today in the lead, but it allowed us to go on and become better."

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Portugal beat neighbours Spain in a penalty shootout to settle a frantic final in Munich and win their second Nations League trophy.

Cristiano Ronaldo pulled Portugal level at 2-2 in the 61st minute, but there was nothing else to separate the two sides when the referee signalled the end of normal time.

Subbed off before extra time, Portugal captain Ronaldo dropped to the turf and sobbed tears of joy on the sidelines after Ruben Neves slotted home the winning penalty following Diogo Costa's save from Alvaro Morata's spot-kick.

Winners of the 2023 edition, Spain had opened the scoring in the 21st minute when Martin Zubimendi poked home after Portugal failed to clear their lines.

Their lead was short-lived as Nuno Mendes slammed a low, angled strike past Unai Simon and into the far corner of the net five minutes later.

Mikel Oyarzabal, who netted a late winner in last summer's European Championship final against England, restored La Roja's advantage before the break.

But Ronaldo came to Portugal's rescue as he shrugged off Marc Cucurella to reach Mendes' deflected cross and hook a volley in from close range.

Goncalo Ramos, Vitinha, Bruno Fernandes and Nuno Mendes all calmly fired their penalties home before Morata's weak effort was stopped by Costa.

And as Neves converted the final spot-kick, Portugal became the first team to win two Nations League titles - denying Spain, who were vying for the same honour.

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Fan dies after stadium fall at Nations League final

A fan died after falling from the stands during Sunday's Nations League final between Spain and Portugal in
Munich.

The man, from the Garmisch-Partenkirchen district in Bavaria, fell from the middle tier into the lower tier and then on to a staircase in the media area at the Allianz Arena.

He died at the scene from his injuries.

Munich police are investigating but said there was "no evidence to suggest foul play".

Portugal beat Spain 5-3 on penalties after the game finished 2-2.

A Uefa statement read: "Despite the best efforts of the medical team, the person sadly passed away at 00:06. Our thoughts are with their loved ones at this difficult time."

Spain coach Luis de la Fuente said: "I want to show my deepest condolences because a fan has died. It reminds us of what is important in life."

A Portugal spokesperson said the death "casts a shadow on our victory" and coach Roberto Martinez said it was "extremely sad news".

Nations League final: Fan dies after stadium fall in Munich

A fan died after falling from the stands during the Nations League final between Spain and Portugal in Munich.

www.bbc.com