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France’s dramatic 5-4 defeat to Spain in the Nations League semi-final showcased both resilience and vulnerability, with Didier Deschamps’ side narrowly avoiding humiliation after trailing 5-1 in Stuttgart.

While the late three-goal flurry provided fleeting hope, the scoreline belied Spain’s dominance for 80 minutes, particularly through Lamine Yamal’s brilliance.

Spain dismantled France’s defense with surgical precision during the first hour, capitalizing on disorganization in Deschamps’ backline.

The opening goal exemplified this chaos: Yamal’s incisive pass found Mikel Oyarzabal, who outmuscled Ibrahima Konate near the touchline before teeing up Nico Williams for a thunderous finish.

Konate, tasked with marshaling a backline missing several veterans, struggled against Spain.

Konate vs Spain3

His positioning faltered again just three minutes later when Oyarzabal slipped a one-two to Mikel Merino, who doubled Spain’s lead unchallenged.

By the 67th minute, Spain led 5-1 after Yamal’s brace and Pedri’s strike.

France’s three-goal surge in the final 11 minutes – including Rayan Cherki’s spectacular volley on debut and Randal Kolo Muani’s header ensured the scoreline was not embaressing for the 2018 World Cup winners.

But the French media was not exactly full of praise for the Liverpool defender.

Foot Mercato wrote that Konate was not able to give “serenity” to the backline:

“After a solid start to the match, the Liverpool player collapsed

On the opening goal for Spain, he struggled to win in front of Oyarzabal, who managed to protect his ball well (22?).”

“This goal destabilized him, since each opponent’s move then made him tremble

It was he who lost the ball on Spain’s fourth goal (55?)

Caught up in Oyarzabal’s good play with his back to goal on the opening goal (1-0, 23?), he lacked authority on the third and fourth Spanish goals

An evening to forget…”

Meanwhile, SO Foot gave the Liverpool defender a 4/10 and suggested that the 26-year-old was left out to dry by his compatriots:

” Solitude is good for great minds and bad for small ones” It’s not sure that Victor Hugo is of great comfort to the French rock, totally abandoned by his friends.”

Spain now face Portugal in the UEFA Nations League final on Sunday, scheduled for a 20:00 BST kick-off at the Allianz Arena.

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