Another day, another final. Another night to enjoy, and the promise that there may be many more to come. The European champions made their way to Munich where they will defend their Nations League title thanks to a 5-4 victory over France which left something more than just the result in Stuttgart.
It may not be so absurd to imagine that this Spain could match that one, although there are lessons to be learnt at the back. Just as it may not be so absurd to suggest that the 17-year-old in their team is not going to be the best, he already is. If this was an audition for the Ballon d’Or against Ousmane Dembélé and Kylian Mbappé, as many said, the award is Lamine Yamal’s.
Nor is Lamine Yamal alone. He scored two, his every touch a threat, but by the time he did Spain had already scored twice, through Nico Williams and Mikel Merino. And between his brace, Pedri, a player who does everything with a kind of ethereal ease, added a lovely fourth. Spain weren’t alone either: France played their part in making this so good, racking up 24 of the 40 shots and making a match of this. Down 5-1 after 67 minutes, a belter from Rayan Cherki, an own goal from Dani Vivian and a Randal Kolo Muani header on 79, 84, and 93 minutes respectively contributed to a special and sometimes silly occasion, infusing it with a tension no one had anticipated 20 minutes earlier.
