The Manchester City target and the Real Madrid ace scared the life out of La Roja, but Les Bleus' poor defence cost them a shot at the title
France nearly pulled off an incredible comeback in a 5-4 Nations League semi-final loss to Spain in a game for the ages on Thursday.
Didier Deschamps' men started the game brightly, as Theo Hernandez fired narrowly over the crossbar, before another one of the left-back's shots rifled off the woodwork. Somewhat against the run of play, though, Spain took the lead when Mikel Oyarzabal neatly laid the ball off to Nico Williams, who leathered a shot past Mike Maignan in the 22nd minute.
Just three minutes later it was 2-0 when Oyarzabal's lofted through ball found its way to Mikel Merino, who slotted past Maignan with aplomb from 10 yards. France were, however, still working Unai Simon, with Ousmane Dembele, Desire Doue, and Kylian Mbappe bringing smart stops out of the Spanish goalkeeper.
The Euro 2024 winners looked to have put the game to bed shortly before the break with a terrific team move from a free-kick, which was volleyed in by Dean Huijsen, but the new Real Madrid recruit was offside in the build-up..
The tie did seem well and truly over when Adrien Rabiot clumsily brought down Lamine Yamal in the box, and the Barcelona wonderkid rolled in the subsequent spot-kick in the 54th minute. In truth, though, it was only just beginning. France were crumbling in front of the capacity crowd's eyes as La Roja ruthlessly cut their defence to ribbons, with Pedri dinking home for 4-0 just sixty seconds later. But Les Bleus were given a crumb of comfort when Mbappe won and converted his own penalty just before the hour mark in an end-to-end contest.
Paris Saint-Germain talent Doue nearly curled in a sumptuous effort as France threatened to stage an unlikely revival, only for Yamal's instinctive toe-poked finish to make it 5-1 and restore Spain's hefty cushion.
Dembele's strike then hit the post from a very tight angle, before substitute and Manchester City target Rayan Cherki reduced his team's arrears with a brilliant volleyed finish 12 minutes from time. This rollercoaster of an encounter kept getting wilder when Dani Vivian turned in Malo Gusto's low cross in the 84th minute to set up an intriguing finale.
Nations League holders Spain had well and truly switched off when Randal Kolo Muani headed home Cherki's teasing cross in the 93rd minute, but it wasn't enough as Luis de la Fuente's side just about held on to edge an all-time classic. Spain will now face Portugal in the Nations League final, whereas France take on Germany in the third/fourth play-off.
GOAL rates France's players from MHP Arena…
AFPGoalkeeper & Defence
Mike Maignan (5/10):
The AC Milan stopper didn't do much wrong as he made some good saves but he saw five shots fly past him on a crazy night for the French.
Pierre Kalulu (4/10):
The 25-year-old did not have the best of birthdays as he was ball-watching for Spain's opener, and while he got forward well, he was part of a very shaky-looking defence.
Ibrahima Konate (3/10):
Without Liverpool team-mate Virgil van Dijk alongside him, the centre-back looked very wobbly.
Clement Lenglet (3/10):
The Atletico Madrid loanee was caught out on a number of occasions by Spain's rapid attack and is not likely to start for France again anytime soon off the back of this display.
Theo Hernandez (3/10):
Spain repeatedly targeted his side of the pitch, with the AC Milan man seemingly more intent on attacking than defending. Will be having nightmares about Yamal.
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Manu Kone (3/10):
The game seemed to pass him by. He and his French midfield team-mates were completely overrun and outplayed.
Adrien Rabiot (3/10):
Looked a bit old and slow at times, plus he conceded a penalty against Euro 2024 foe Yamal.
Michael Olise (5/10):
The Bayern Munich attacker has enjoyed a great season for the Bundesliga giants but he wasn't given much of a sniff tonight.
AFPAttack
Ousmane Dembele (7/10):
The PSG talisman was a threat throughout the game and on another day could have had a hat-trick.
Kylian Mbappe (8/10):
Kept on plugging away and deserved his goal from the penalty spot but the Real Madrid attacker was let down by many of his team-mates.
Desire Doue (6/10):
There is clearly a very good player there and wasn't far from bagging a brace on the night but wasn't quite clinical enough.
AFPSubs & Manager
Rayan Cherki (8/10):
Scored a stunning goal off the bench to kickstart his team's second-half revival and bagged a delicious assist, too.
Bradley Barcola (7/10):
His pace gave Pedro Porro all sorts of problems.
Malo Gusto (7/10):
The Chelsea player was solid at the back and played his part in France's third.
Lucas Hernandez (5/10):
Provided a bit more security for France's leaky backline.
Randal Kolo Muani (7/10):
Popped up with a centre-forward's goal with a nice header at the death.
Didier Deschamps (5/10):
His lineup was a risky one, especially at the back, and it was a decision that did not pay off in the slightest. His substitutes had an impact but tactically, France were all over the place for too long.
