Spain Wins UEFA Nations League Semifinal Over France as Lamine Yamal Stars

Spain secured a thrilling 5-4 victory over France in the UEFA Nations League semifinals, with 17-year-old Lamine Yamal playing a pivotal role by scoring twice and winning a penalty. Former Spain coach José Antonio Camacho praised Yamal's exceptional talent and highlighted his potential Ballon d'Or chances, noting the importance of his performance in the upcoming World Cup. Yamal is a leading contender for the 2025 Ballon d'Or, competing primarily against France's Ousmane Dembélé, who had a stellar season with Paris Saint-Germain's treble-winning campaign. Despite the hype around the Nations League semifinal as a potential Ballon d'Or decider, Yamal emphasized that the award should be based on the best player across the entire year rather than a single match. He remains humble about his chances, focusing instead on team achievements like winning the Champions League and World Cup to boost his prospects. Yamal's maturity and outlook suggest he values the journey and team success over individual accolades at this stage in his career.