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March 28, 2024
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France beat Spain to become second Nations League winners

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

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

Mbappe was adjudged to be onside when he slid the ball under Unai Simon after Karim Benzema’s stunning equaliser at Milan’s San Siro.

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

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

He first denied Oyarzabal before acrobatically keeping out Yeremi Pino’s effort in stoppage time, as France became the competition’s second winners after Portugal in 2019.

But Mbappe’s winner will prove to be a moment of debate, with the goal standing even though the Paris St-Germain striker was in an offside position when Theo Hernandez played the initial through ball.

Spain defender Eric Garcia touched the ball in his attempt to clear the danger before it came to Mbappe, and the rules state “a player in an offside position receiving the ball from an opponent who deliberately plays the ball… is not considered to have gained an advantage”.

France, who reached the final by coming from 2-0 down to beat neighbours Belgium 3-2 on Thursday, had to fight back again and did so in a game that came alive after an hour of technical but sedate action.

Didier Deschamps’ side’s resilience was on full display again as Benzema cut in on his right foot to curl the ball over Simon, less than two minutes after Oyarzabal’s opener for Spain.

And even though France had less possession (36%), they constantly looked a threat on the counter-attack as Mbappe struck the decisive – and perhaps fortunate – blow.

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

“We showed strength of character, because this team is very strong, never gives up and we have proven it today.

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

Line-ups

Spain

Formation 4-3-3

  • 23Simón
  • 2Azpilicueta
  • 12García
  • 19LaporteBooked at 86mins
  • 17Alonso
  • 9Paez GaviriaSubstituted forKokeat 75′minutes
  • 5Busquets
  • 16RodriSubstituted forFornalsat 84′minutes
  • 11TorresSubstituted forMerinoat 84′minutes
  • 21Oyarzabal
  • 22SarabiaSubstituted forPinoat 61′minutes

Substitutes

  • 1de Gea
  • 3Torres
  • 4Martínez
  • 6Gil
  • 7Pino
  • 8Koke
  • 10Roberto
  • 13Sánchez
  • 14Reguilón
  • 15Porro
  • 18Fornals
  • 20Merino

France

Formation 3-4-1-2

  • 1Lloris
  • 5KoundéBooked at 55mins
  • 4VaraneSubstituted forUpamecanoat 43′minutes
  • 3Kimpembe
  • 2PavardSubstituted forDuboisat 80′minutes
  • 8Tchouaméni
  • 6PogbaBooked at 46mins
  • 22Hernández
  • 7GriezmannSubstituted forVeretoutat 90+2′minutes
  • 10MbappéBooked at 89mins
  • 19Benzema

Substitutes

  • 9Martial
  • 11Diaby
  • 12Dubois
  • 13Guendouzi
  • 15Upamecano
  • 16Costil
  • 17Veretout
  • 20Ben Yedder
  • 21Hernández
  • 23Maignan

Referee:
Anthony Taylor

Attendance:
31,511

Match Stats

Live Text

  1. Match ends, Spain 1, France 2.

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

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

  4. Corner, Spain. Conceded by Karim Benzema.

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

  6. Corner, Spain. Conceded by Paul Pogba.

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

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

  9. Attempt blocked. Pablo Fornals (Spain) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted 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 centre of the goal. Assisted 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 centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Marcos Alonso.

  17. Attempt missed. Antoine Griezmann (France) left footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Paul Pogba following a set piece 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.

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