Friday briefing: Lamine Yamal stars for Spain and ‘no crisis’ for Sarina Wiegman

Lamine Yamal starred after scoring a brace as holders Spain beat France 5-4 in a pulsating encounter in Stuttgart to reach the Nations League final.

England boss Sarina Wiegman named her squad for Euro 2025 – insisting there was no “crisis” in the Lionesses’ camp.

Russell Martin was announced as the new Rangers manager and Wales geared up for their next World Cup qualifier in Cardiff on Friday night, when Scotland and the Republic of Ireland will both play friendlies.

Lamine Yamal stars as Spain edge Les Blues

Barcelona teenager Lamine Yamal scored twice as holders Spain beat France 5-4 in an entertaining heavyweight clash in Stuttgart to book their place in the Nations League final against Portugal.

Goals from Nico Williams and Mikel Merino in the space of three minutes midway through the first half had put the European champions in control.

Yamal, 17, slotted in a penalty soon after the restart, with Pedri then swiftly clipping home a fourth before Kylian Mbappe pulled a goal back for France from the spot in the 59th minute.

After Lamal showed more fine close control to slide in a second goal, Lyon winger Rayan Cherki marked his debut off the bench when he crashed in a volley with 10 minutes left.

A late own goal from Dani Vivian saw France claw back another before Randal Kolo Muani headed in during stoppage time.

Spain, though, held out to make a third straight Nations League final, which will be played in Munich on Sunday.

Sarina Wiegman shuts out the noise

England boss Sarina Wiegman insisted there was no “crisis” as she named a 23-strong squad for Euro 2025 following a tumultuous month for the Lionesses.

It has been a far from settled few weeks as England prepared to defend their European crown, opening the campaign against France in Zurich on July 5.

Both goalkeeper Mary Earps and attacker Fran Kirby had announced their retirement from international football, while defender Millie Bright pulled out of the tournament to prioritize her mental health, with Chelsea later confirming she had undergone minor knee surgery.

Wiegman, though, dismissed the idea the Lionesses camp is unsettled.

Chelsea striker Lauren James, recovering from a hamstring injury, has been included in the squad, alongside 19-year-old Michelle Agyemang.

“We’re going with this 23 to the Euros and I’m comfortable, happy and excited. For me it doesn’t feel like a crisis at all,” Wiegman said.

“There is always noise, so we expect noise before we go into a tournament. The difference is in my first tournament, the attention and visibility with the women’s team has increased.

“We have to deal with it and move on and focus on football.”

Craig Bellamy wants Wales in focus

Wales boss Craig Bellamy says one of the world’s worst football teams Liechtenstein have given him sleepless nights ahead of their World Cup qualifier.

Liechtenstein – ranked 205th out of FIFA’s 210 nations – have not won a competitive game since September 2020, and lost their opening two World Cup qualifiers in March.

Bellamy, though, warned against any sense of complacency from his side in Cardiff on Friday night.

“We’ve prepared for Liechtenstein as we did for Turkey and everyone else – it doesn’t matter who we play against,” the Wales boss said.

“I was up late last night. I didn’t sleep well. Does that tell you something? I treat every team the same.”

Russell Martin ready for Ibrox challenge

New Rangers head coach Russell Martin has told sceptics he is looking to prove them wrong.

News of the former MK Dons, Swansea and Southampton manager’s three-year deal at Ibrox has not gone down well with some supporters.

However, former Scotland defender Martin, who had an unsuccessful loan period at Rangers in 2018, is ready to meet the challenges head on.

“My whole career has been based on proving people wrong, really. At every level I got questioned,” former Norwich captain Martin, 39, said.

“I got to the Premier League as a player, I wasn’t convinced I could do it, but I managed to establish myself there for a little while, played international football, which I’m incredibly proud of.

“So it’s the same again as a manager – I had to prove people wrong at every opportunity.”

What’s on today?

England boss Thomas Tuchel will hold a press conference on Friday afternoon ahead of the World Cup qualifier against Andorra in Barcelona.

Wales later take on Liechtenstein in their Group J fixture in Cardiff, while Scotland play a friendly against Iceland as do the Republic of Ireland when they host Senegal.

Ahead of all that on Friday morning, England under-21s coach Lee Carsley will name his squad for the upcoming European Championships in Slovakia.