World champions France secured their first UEFA Nations League title after rallying from behind to defeat Spain 2-1 on Sunday night.
La Roja made just one change from the win over Italy, as Rodri started ahead of Koke while Les Bleus were without Adrien Rabiot who tested positive for Covid-19 and his place was taken by Aurelien Tchouameni while Presnel Kimpembe was recalled at the expense of Lucas Hernandez.
Didier Deschamps’ charges almost went ahead in the sixth minute after Karim Benzema skipped round Unai Simón but failed to cut the ball back for a team-mate early on as he saw his strike at goal was cleared by Cesar Azpilicueta while Spain hoarded possession thereafter without threatening.
Les Bleus did suffer a setback before the break, though, as Raphaël Varane was forced off injured.
Marcos Alonso came the closest to breaking the deadlock for La Roja eight minutes before the half-time break with a free-kick from the edge of the box that flashed just wide of the far post.
The back and forth pattern continued until the game exploded into life in the 64th minute when Benzema’s cross was thumped against the underside of the bar by Theo Hernández.
However, La Roja went ahead almost immediately thereafter from a counter-attack, after Mikel Oyarzabal went through on goal and drilled a low strike across goal into the bottom corner.
La Roja’s joy proved short-lived as Benzema produced a moment of brilliance just two minutes from going going behind, curling a strike from a digonal angle inside the box that Simon could only tip into the top corner of his net.
The question now was whether Didier Deschamps’ men could repeat the trick they had performed against Belgium in the last four, when they had come from two behind to win?
With the game on the edge after that, in what seems a controversial call, Mbappe gave Deschamps’ troops the lead in the last ten minutes with a low finish past Simon after Eric Garcia deflected a through ball into his path.
Oyarzabal came close to making it 2-2 for Spain in the last two minutes with a cracking low strike that required two fine late saves from Lloris as he denief Yeremi Pino last-gasp effort to seal the silverware.
Mikel Oyarzabal, Spain forward: “I really think that we produced a great performance but they went and produced two really big moments. That’s where our win went. We had our chances to score with those saves that Lloris made from me and Yeremi Pino. We worked hard all night and we should be proud of what we did out there.”
France become the first team to win the FIFA World Cup, the UEFA European Championship and the UEFA Nations League.
Karim Benzema, France forward: “It was a dream night from a personal and a team standpoint. It wasn’t easy and we showed the strength of character of this team. We never give up. It’s the sign of great teams to never panic and be patient. When you score a goal like that, there’s always an element of luck. I knew from the moment it left my boot that it was going in, but not that it would find the top corner.”
Kylian Mbappé picks up the Top Scorer Trophy after registering 2 goals & 2 assists.
UEFA Nations League Player of the Finals is Spain’s captain and midfield maestro Sergio Busquets.
MOLATsportgist 