Lamine Yamal mimics Cristiano Ronaldo as teen sensation inspires Spain to thrilling 5-4 victory over France to reach Nations League final – despite Man City-bound star’s efforts

• Lamine Yamal steals the show to fire Spain into Sunday’s final against Portugal
• Yamal copies Cristiano Ronaldo’s celebration ahead of showdown with legend
• LISTEN: Was ‘Fergie Time’ real? Veteran Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg reveals all on the first episode of the Mail’s brand-new football podcast Whistleblowers 

By DAVID KENT

Lamine Yamal put forward his case to win the Ballon d’Or by scoring twice in a brilliant display to secure Spain’s place in the Nations League final with a 5-4 victory over France.

The 17-year-old and his nation will now take on Portugal in Sunday’s final in Munich where he will come face-to-face with five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo.

And Yamal hinted that he was heir apparent to the title of best player in the world when he mimicked the Portugal legend’s famous celebration. 

The Barcelona star marked his second goal — which put Spain 5-1 up — by sitting on the advertisement hoardings and posing for the cameras in the style of Ronaldo. 

The European champions and National League holders are through to their third successive final.

Spain dazzled in the first half of the semi-final at the MHP Arena with fine goals by Nico Williams and Arsenal’s Mikel Merino inside 25 minutes to race into a 2-0 lead.

Lamine Yamal celebrates by sitting on the advertisement hoardings and posing for the cameras

Yamal’s celebration was very similar to Portugal legend Cristiano Ronaldo’s after scoring for Real Madrid against Atletico in the 2017 Champions League semi-finals

Yamal made his case to claim the Ballon d’Or with a brilliant performance against France

Yamal then got in on the act to coolly add a third from the penalty spot nine minutes into the second half before his Barcelona teammate Pedri clipped a sublime fourth into the net less than a minute later.

The goals continued to flow as France striker Kylian Mbappe also slotted home from the penalty spot near the hour mark before Yamal added Spain’s fifth after 67 minutes with a fine low strike to cap an exhilarating individual performance.

The game looked over until Man City-bound Rayan Cherki sparked a revival after coming on from the bench for his international debut.

The Lyon star, who has agreed personal terms with Pep Guardiola’s side collected Mbappe’s pass, flicked the ball up and volleyed home a wonderful strike from 20 yards out to make it 5-2. 

The 21-year old wants to join City before Tuesday’s deadline for the Club World Cup. 

Spanish defender Dani Vivian slid the ball into his own net with six minutes left and then, in the third minute of injury time, Randal Kolo Muani headed in Cherki’s cross to make it 5-4, but France could not find an equaliser. 

Rayan Cherki showed why Man City are keen on signing him by smashing in a brilliant goal

The 21-year-old (right) wants to join Pep Guardiola’s side in time to play in the Club World Cup

France’s side included Ousmane Dembele and Desire Doue, who had both helped Paris St-Germain beat Inter Milan 5-0 in the Champions League final on Saturday and will have their own designs on winning the Ballon d’Or. 

But it was Yamal who took the game by the scruff of the neck to give his country a shot at silverware and himself the best chance of personal glory come September’s Ballon d’or ceremony. 

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Lamine Yamal mimics Cristiano Ronaldo as teen sensation inspires Spain to thrilling 5-4 victory over France to reach Nations League final – despite Man City-bound star’s efforts

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