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Merino scores in Nations League thriller vs France

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[Arsenal Media](/author/arsenal-media) 06 Jun 2025

![Mikel Merino vs France 050625](/sites/default/files/styles/large_16x9/public/images/MixCollage-06-Jun-2025-07-44-AM-4106_guu8bq0q.jpg?h=d1cb525d&auto=webp&itok=BKEMsjgc)

Mikel Merino scored for Spain in an incredible 5-4 win against France in the UEFA Nations League semi-final in Stuttgart.

Nico Williams opened the scoring before Merino pounced three minutes later to double the lead for Luis de la Fuente's side.

Our midfielder played a fine one-two with Mikel Oyarzabal before firing past Mike Maignan in the France net.

Lamine Yamal and Pedri scored twice in the space of two second half minutes to make it 4-0 before Kylian Mbappe reduced the deficit. Yamal looked to have put the game beyond doubt with his second of the evening but goals from Rayan Cherki, a Dani Vivian own goal and a header by Randal Kolo Muani set up a dramatic finish.

But Spain held on at the MHP Arena to set up a final with Portugal at the Allianz Arena this Sunday. **David Raya** was on also in the Spain squad as an unused substitute.

Elsewhere, **Gabriel Martinelli** was a second half substitute in Brazil's 0-0 draw against Ecuador in Carlo Ancelotti's first match in charge of the nation.

Our Brazilian came on in the 64th minute, replacing Estevao at the Estadio Monumental, but could not break the deadlock in the World Cup qualifier.

The result leaves Brazil in fourth place in the World Cup qualifying standings on 22 points with three games remaining. The top six automatically qualify for the World Cup in the USA, Mexico and Canada next year.

Full list of international fixtures

-----------------------------------

_All times BST_

**Thursday, June 5**Spain 5-4 France | Nations League

Merino started and scored, Raya an unused sub

**Friday, June 6**Ecuador 0-0 Brazil | World Cup qualifier

Martinelli came on in 64th minute

Norway (Odegaard) v Italy

World Cup qualifier | Oslo | 7.45pm

Scotland (Tierney) v Iceland

World Cup qualifier | Glasgow | 7.45pm

North Macedonia v Belgium (Trossard)

World Cup qualifier | Skopje | 7.45pm

Poland (Kiwior) v Moldova

Friendly | Chorzow | 7.45pm

**Saturday, June 7**Andorra v England (Rice, Lewis-Skelly, Saka)

World Cup qualifier | Barcelona | 5pm

Canada v Ukraine (Zinchenko)

Friendly | Toronto | 8.30pm

**Monday, June 9**Liechtenstein v Scotland (Tierney)

World Cup qualifier | Vaduz | 5pm

Estonia v Norway (Odegaard)

World Cup qualifier | Tallinn | 7.45pm

**Tuesday, June 10**England (Rice, Lewis-Skelly, Saka) v Senegal

Friendly | Nottingham | 7.45pm

Finland v Poland (Kiwior)

World Cup qualifier | Helsinki | 7.45pm

Belgium (Trossard) v Wales

World Cup qualifier | Brussels | 7.45pm

New Zealand v Ukraine (Zinchenko)

Friendly | Toronto | 10pm

**Wednesday, June 11**Brazil (Martinelli) v Paraguay

World Cup qualifier | Sao Paulo | 1.45am

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