The second semi-final of the 2024/25 UEFA Nations League season kicks off, with a number of stars clash to be the highlights

The second semi-final of the 2024/25 UEFA Nations League season started on the 5th, with the defending champion Spain playing the former champion France, and this matchup is a repeat of the 2020/21 UEFA Nations League final, when the "Gallic Rooster" France defeated the "Matador" Spain 2-1 and won the title for the first time.

Spain coach de la Fuente (from left) watches Yamal and his teammates as he prepares for the game.

Spain and France have met 37 times in the A tournament so far, with Spain having a slight advantage with 17 wins, 7 losses and 13 defeats. In the last 4 meetings, the two teams have tied with 2 wins and 2 losses. The last time the two teams met in a major tournament was in the semi-finals of last year's European Championships, when Spain eliminated France 2-1 to dominate for the third time.

Both sides won the top 8 on penalties. In this season's UEFA Nations League, the Spanish team met the "orange shirt" Netherlands in the round of eight, drew with the opponent in both legs, and finally won 5-4 on penalties and advanced to the semifinals. After losing 0-2 to Croatia in the first leg of the round of eight, the French team returned to the home court in the second leg to turn the tables and also won the penalty shootout to advance.

Spain is aiming to reach the final for the third time in a row. Spain have reached the finals of the last two UEFA Nations League finals, and this year they are aiming to reach the final for the third time in a row; France will be hoping to reach the final for the first time in four years. Both teams will be aiming for a second crown. The Spanish team is mainly passing, with strong control in the midfield, and the midfield brain has superb personal skills, and tears apart the opponent's defense with short passes. Spain has a good ability to break through on the flanks, and the attacking distribution points in the midfield are numerous, making the opponent unable to guard against the threat. However, the Spanish players are physically thin and lack an advantage in physical confrontation.

Kylian Mbappe (right) and Didier Deschamps were chatting and laughing in training, and the harmony of the coach made the French fans believe that the team can be invincible.

The French team has a good record in the world competition in recent years, and the overall strength is strong. The French players are physical, individualistic, effective on the counter-attack and solid defensively.

A number of stars go head-to-head to become a highlight. In addition to the head-to-head confrontation between Yamal and Dembele, there is also the confrontation between midfielders Gavi and Kante, and the confrontation between Morata, Mbappe and Griezmann in the front line is worth looking forward to.

The 17-year-old has helped Barcelona win three La Liga, Copa del Rey and La Super Cup this season. He scored 19 goals individually. He was one of the heroes behind Spain's European Championship win last year. Spain's captain Alore Moratajo scored to level Fernando Torres with 38 goals and move up to the top three of the team's all-time scorers' charts.

Dembele has helped Paris win four Ligue 1, French Cup, Champions League and French Super Cup this season. He has 33 goals and 13 assists in all competitions, and was voted the best in the Champions League. Mbappe is in fine form with the likes of Olise Olise, Douai and Barcorra, with Mbappe scoring 43 goals for Real Madrid this season and winning the European Golden Boot.