Reigning European champions Spain face World Cup runner-up France in the second semifinal of UNL

Defending champions Spain face France, the team that beat them in the 2021 final, in the second semifinal of the 2025 UEFA Nations League.

Hosts Germany or inaugural winners Portugal, who play on Wednesday, await in Sunday’s final.

Al Jazeera Sport takes a closer look at the game, which will provide the second finalist for a tournament that has replaced the ever-devaluing international friendly setup on the continent.

Who did Spain and France beat in the Nations quarterfinals?

Spain beat the Netherlands 5-4 on penalties after their quarterfinal finished 5-5 on aggregate over the two legs.

France also needed penalties to progress from their last-eight tie against Croatia after a 2-2 draw on aggregate. The Croatians had won the first leg 2-0 on home soil.

Both nations topped their League A groups.

What happened the last time Spain played France?

The sides played out a dramatic Euro 2024 semifinal, won by Spain 2-1.

Trailing after Randal Kolo Muani headed in a Kylian Mbappe cross in the ninth minute, Spain turned the match around in a rapid four-minute flurry, scoring twice against a side that had only conceded one goal in five previous games in the tournament.

The match is best remembered for 16-year-old Spain sensation Lamine Yamal, who became the youngest-ever goal scorer at a European championship when he unleashed a mesmerising strike from outside the box in the 21st minute to find the equaliser.

Spain then took the lead for good on 25 minutes when Dani Olmo expertly gathered a loose ball and fired a low shot into the net with the aid of a deflection off Jules Kounde.

Who did Spain beat in the 2023 Nations final?

Spain – who were defeated finalists in the 2021 edition of the tournament, which is staged over a two-year period – beat Croatia 5-4 on penalties after a goalless draw in Rotterdam, Netherlands, in June 2023.

In the 2021 final, the Spaniards were beaten 2-1 by France, who they face in Thursday’s second semifinal. Their victory in 2023 ended an 11-year search for silverware.

Spain team news

Out: Rodri, Carvajal, Laporte, Ayoze Perez, Ferran Torres.

France team news

Out: Camavinga, Kounde, Saliba, Upamecano.

Possible lineups:

Spain: Unai Simon; Mingueza, Cubarsi, Huijsen, Cucurella; Pedri, Ruiz; Yamal, Olmo, Williams; Morata.

France: Maignan; Gusto, Konate, Lucas Hernandez, Digne; Tchouameni, Kone, Rabiot; Olise, Mbappe, Kolo Muani.