Spain and France collide in the semi-finals of the UEFA Nations League in Stuttgart tonight.
The two previous winners go head-to-head, with the victors set to face Portugal in Sunday’s final. Ahead of their clash at the MHPArena, we’ve picked our combined XI from two star-studded sides.
Spain vs France – Combined XI
Goalkeeper: Mike Maignan – France
Mike Maignan could be the latest big name to join what is fast looking like an exodus at AC Milan. The Italian outfit would be losing one of Serie A’s top shot-stoppers, with Maignan twice winning the division’s Goalkeeper of the Year award. He’s ensured a seamless transition for France since the retirement of Hugo Lloris.
Right-back: Pedro Porro – Spain
Arguably both nation’s first-choice right-backs are out, so Pedro Porro gets the nod. He ended a tough season at Tottenham with Europa League success and regularly provides top-class attacking output. Porro returned four goals and nine assists at club level in 2024/25.
Centre-back: Ibrahima Konate – France
Fresh from winning the Premier League at Liverpool, Ibrahima Konate will hope to take his imperious club form into France duty. In the absence of William Saliba and Dayot Upamecano, plenty will be expected of Konate.
Centre-back: Pau Cubarsi – Barcelona
Just a phenomenal talent. La Masisa continues to churn out superstars and Pau Cubarsi is the latest off the production line. At 18, he’s already first choice for club and country, combining elegance in possession with defensive maturity. Spain and Barcelona’s future looks in good hands.
Pau Cubarsí 🤩#NationsLeague pic.twitter.com/AXn1LsGiG0
— UEFA EURO (@UEFAEURO) June 5, 2025
Left-back: Theo Hernandez – France
The French full-back has been an excitement machine at AC Milan in recent years, cosplaying as a bullet train down the left. Hernandez has been named in Serie A’s Team of the Season four times in six years, with his speed, strength and carry well appreciated. He could be another exit in Milan’s rebuild, as Al-Hilal work on a deal to sign the 27-year-old.
Midfield: Martin Zubimendi – Spain
Martin Zubimendi has ensured Rodri’s absence has not been overly felt for Spain, who remain unbeaten since March 2024. The Real Sociedad midfielder combines progressive distribution with intelligent defensive work, attributes that Arsenal are prepared to spend €60m to secure for next season.
Midfield: Pedri – Spain
Arguably, probably, the best midfielder in the world right now.
Pedri has recovered from his injury setbacks to remind the world what a magic footballer he is. Last season, Pedri led all La Liga players for passes in the opposition half, passes into the final third, carries and ball recoveries. He’s wonderfully complete.
PEDRI. 🎩👏
📊🔝 El ‘8’ del @FCBarcelona_es, mucho más que un centrocampista.#LALIGAEASPORTS pic.twitter.com/DBg4WBmIU3
— LALIGA (@LaLiga) June 4, 2025
Right-wing: Lamine Yamal – Spain
Lamine Yamal was just 16 years old when he scored that spectacular goal against France in the semi-finals of Euro 2024. Less than 12 months later, he’s a double winner in Spain and a genuine Ballon d’Or contender. The kid is special.
🌟 #EURO2024 Highlights 🌟
🪄⚽️ Lamine #Yamal in #ESPFRA. 🤩🥳@SEFutbol | @SpainIsFootball pic.twitter.com/bBkxNtbyJE
— UEFA Nations League DE (@EURO2024DE) July 21, 2024
Left-wing: Desire Doue – France
If there’s a young talent to challenge Lamine Yamal and truly replace the Messi-Ronaldo era, perhaps it’s Desire Doue.
A quadruple win with Paris Saint-Germain and a man-of-the-match performance in the Champions League final capped some season for a player who only turned 20 earlier this week. Didier Deschamps needs to find room for him in an admittedly talent-stacked forward line.
Désiré Doué. He’s him. 💯 pic.twitter.com/9JRW4rjWYM
— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) June 5, 2025
Forward: Ousmane Dembele – France
The red-hot favourite for the Ballon d’Or after a sensational season at Paris Saint-Germain.
The potential Dembele has long had exploded in 2024/25, with 33 goals and 15 assists in all competitions and a key role in PSG’s maiden Champions League triumph. Victory in this summer’s Nations League might make his argument as world football’s finest this year difficult to argue.
Ousmane Dembélé is the heavy favourite to be the 2025 Ballon d’Or winner according to the latest betting odds ✨🏆 pic.twitter.com/W7nr5844k5
— OneFootball (@OneFootball) June 3, 2025
Forward: Kylian Mbappe – France
Kylian Mbappe’s debut season at Real Madrid did not end with the team honours hoped, but on an individual basis, the Frenchman was electric. His 31 league goals won Mbappe a first-ever European Golden Shoe. Still just 26, he’s closing in on 50 goals for France.
Kylian Mbappé wins the European Golden Shoe for the 2024/25 season ✨
– First French player to win it since Thierry Henry in 2004/05 🇫🇷
– First Real Madrid player to win it since Cristiano Ronaldo in 2015/16 ⚪️ pic.twitter.com/IoQsTn2Bwj— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) May 26, 2025
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