This game will probably be a final before the final, as a lot of things depend on the UEFA Nations League Semi-final two, where Spain play France at the MHP Arena in Stuttgart, Germany. The date of the game is 5th June and kicks off at 9 PM local time and 12:30 AM IST (6th June). The biggest doubt in every football fan’s mind is, will Spain vs France decide the 2025 Ballon d’Or winner?
Both teams are filled with a lot of talent, and every position has a perfect player who fits in. At the end of the day, surely, one team wins and the other loses. Mbappe has faced Yamal four times in a knockout game, and Yamal has won all four. Mbappe will want to change this stat and get the win for his team.
Spain vs France UEFA Nations League semi-final: Could this decide the 2025 Ballon d’Or winner? Lineups, predictions & how to watch the epic clash!
Spain and France both have won the UEFA Nations League once. Spain is the defending champion as they won the last edition.
Will Spain vs France decide the 2025 Ballon d’Or winner?
For some, it will decide and for some it won’t. It surely doesn’t matter where France wins or loses; Ousmane Dembele is the deserving player to have his hands on the Ballon d’Or. With all due respect to Lamine Yamal, he has just been out of the world this season, but after Paris winning the UEFA Champions League and Dembele being their most important player, he has to go to him. He also assisted twice in the final.
When we talk about the trophies, Dembele has won four trophies with Paris Saint-Germain this season, and they are playing in the FIFA Club World Cup, a possible fifth. If he wins the UEFA Nations League than six trophies this season. His goal contribution stats are also amazing. In the 49 games he has played so far, Dembele has scored 33 times and assisted 13 times.
Match Preview and expected lineups
Spain
Rodri, the current Ballon d’Or holder, will not feature in the game along with Barcelona’s Ferran Torres. Gavi makes a return to the squad after 2023, and Isco is back with the national side after almost six years. It will be very interesting to see what starting lineups Luis de la Fuente comes up with.
Expected XI:
Unai Simon, Pedro Porro, Pau Cubasi, Le Normand, Cucurella, Zubimendi, Pedri, Fabian Ruiz, Lamine Yamal, Nico Williams and Morata
France
Deschamps is thrilled to have an attack of Mbappe, Dembele, Olise, and Doue in his team. The concerns are in defence, where the three main players are out: Upamecano, Saliba, and Kounde. Apart from this, there are no major concerns for France in terms of player absence.
Expected XI:
Mike Maignan, Malo Gusto, Ibrahima Konate, Benjamin Pavard, Theo Hernandez, Aurelien Tchouameni, Adrien Rabiot, Manu Kone, Michael Olise, Ousmane Dembele and Kylian Mbappe
Spain vs France Prediction
In recent years, both teams have faced each other in crucial knockout games, and the contest is always great to watch. France defeated Spain in the UEFA National League Final in 2021, whereas Spain got their revenge by beating France in the UEFA Euros semi-final in 2024. Spain looks like a complete team and is the favourite to win this game.
Betting tips for this game
Tip 1: Both teams to score
There are a lot of individuals’ talents in both teams that can score a lot of goals, especially Kylian Mbappe. Both teams will go all out and attack, which will lead to goals.
Tip 2: Kylian Mbappe to score
He may not have won trophies as expected from him and his club, but Kylian Mbappe has scored 40+ goals in his first season at Real Madrid. Mbappe is a big game player, and we all know he always performs on the big stages. We can’t even rule out a brace from him.
Where to watch the UEFA Nations League Semi-final?
The local fans from Germany, if they can’t go and watch it in the stadium, can see it live on ARD Sportschau, DAZN, rtl+.de, and ZDF sportstudio live. Sony network will bring the live action to the fans of India. Apart from this, all regions have their local broadcasters for the UEFA Nations League
