France defeat Spain to become the second Nations League winner

Kylian Mbappe stayed tuned to score the winner in the Nations League final

Kylian Mbappe shot a controversial winner as France came in from behind to beat Spain and become the second team to win the Nations League.

Mbappe was considered onside when he slipped the ball under Unai Simon after Karim Benzema’s stunning equalizer at Milan’s San Siro.

Spain had taken the lead through Mikel Oyarzabal, who had to shake off defender Dayot Upamecano to defeat Hugo Lloris.

Lloris produced two late saves to ensure victory for the world champion.

He initially contested Oyarzabal before acrobatically fending off Yeremi Pino’s stoppage-time efforts as France became the competition’s second winner after Portugal in 2019.

But the Mbappe winner will prove to be a moment of debate as the goal stands despite the Paris St-Germain striker being sidelined in Theo Hernandez’s first through pass.

Spain defender Eric Garcia touched the ball to remove the threat before it came to Mbappe gained an advantage “.

France, who reached the final on Thursday 2-0 deficit against neighboring Belgium 3-2, had to fight back again in a game that came to life after an hour of technical but sedate action.

The resilience of Didier Deschamps’ side was again on display when Benzema twisted his right foot to roll the ball over Simon less than two minutes after Oyarzabal’s opening game for Spain.

And although France had less possession (36%), they always looked threatened on the counterattack as Mbappe delivered the decisive – and perhaps lucky – blow.

Benzema, who returned to the national team in the summer before Euro 2020, told French TV channel M6: “I really wanted to win a trophy with France and now it’s done.

“We have shown strength of character because this team is very strong, they never give up and we have shown that today.

“It’s a sign of a great team not to panic, be patient and wait for the right opportunity.”

Constellations

Spain

formation 4-3-3

23Simon

2Azpilicueta12thGarcia19thLaporte17thAlonso

9Paez Gaviria5Busquets16Rodri

11Torres21Oyarzabal22ndSarabia

• 23Simon
• 2Azpilicueta
• 12thGarcia
• 19thLaporteBooked at 86 minutes
• 17thAlonso
• 9Paez GaviriaReplaced byCookat 75 ‘protocol
• 5Busquets
• 16RodriReplaced byFornalsat 84 ‘protocol
• 11TorresReplaced bymerinoat 84 ‘protocol
• 21Oyarzabal
• 22ndSarabiaReplaced byPinoat 61 ‘protocol

substitute

• 1de Gea
• 3rdTorres
• 4thMartinez
• 6thGil
• 7thPino
• 8thCook
• 10Roberto
• 13thSanchez
• 14thReguilón
• fifteenFurther
• 18thFornals
• 20thmerino

France

formation 3-4-1-2

1Lloris

5Koundé4thEarly3rdKimmembé

2last name8thChouameni6thPogba22ndHernández

7thGriezmann

10Mbappé19thBenzema

• 1Lloris
• 5KoundéBooked at 55 minutes
• 4thEarlyReplaced byUpamecanoat 43 ‘protocol
• 3rdKimmembé
• 2last nameReplaced byDuboisat 80 ‘protocol
• 8thChouameni
• 6thPogbaBooked at 46 minutes
• 22ndHernández
• 7thGriezmannReplaced byVeretoutat 90 + 2 ‘protocol
• 10MbappéBooked at 89 minutes
• 19thBenzema

substitute

• 9Martial arts
• 11Diaby
• 12thDubois
• 13thGuendouzi
• fifteenUpamecano
• 16Costil
• 17thVeretout
• 20thBen Yedder
• 21Hernández
• 23Mainan

Referee: Anthony Taylor

Number of participants: 31,511

Live text

1. Game ends, Spain 1, France 2.

2. Second half ends, Spain 1, France 2.

3. Attempt blocked. Sergio Busquets (Spain) header from the center of the box is blocked. Assisted by Yeremi Pino with a cross.

4. Corner, Spain. Granted by Karim Benzema.

5. Attempt saved. Yeremi Pino (Spain) left footed shot from the center of the box is saved in the center of the goal.

6. Corner, Spain. Admitted by Paul Pogba.

7. Attempt failed. Mikel Merino (Spain) header from the center of the box misses to the left. Assisted by César Azpilicueta with a cross.

8. Replacement, France. Jordan Veretout replaces Antoine Griezmann.

9. Attempt blocked. Pablo Fornals (Spain) right footed shot from the center of the box is blocked. Supported by Koke.

10. Kylian Mbappé (France) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

11. Yeremi Pino (Spain) wins a free kick on the right wing.

12. Foul by Kylian Mbappé (France).

13. Attempt saved. Kylian Mbappé (France) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the center of the goal. Supported by Karim Benzema.

14. César Azpilicueta (Spain) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

15. Foul by Karim Benzema (France).

16. Attempt saved. Mikel Oyarzabal (Spain) left footed shot from the center of the box is saved in the center of the goal. Supported by Marcos Alonso.

17. Attempt failed. Antoine Griezmann (France) left footed shot from outside the box is too high. Supported by Paul Pogba after a standard situation.

18. Aymeric Laporte (Spain) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

19. Foul by Aymeric Laporte (Spain).

20. Léo Dubois (France) wins a free kick in the attacking half.