Belgium vs France LIVE: Nations League semi-final result, final score and reaction tonight
Les Bleus grabbed victory with the 90th minute strike from Theo Hernandez
World champions France recovered from two goals down to beat Belgium 3-2 in a thrilling Nations League semi-final on Thursday with a last minute strike from Theo Hernandez securing a place in Sunday’s showpiece match against Spain.
In a crazy end to the game Belgium thought they had won it minutes earlier but Romelu Lukaku’s late effort was ruled out for offside by VAR.
Yannick Carrasco fired Belgium ahead in the 37th minute and three minutes later Lukaku doubled the lead with a superbly taken goal.
Karim Benzema got France back into the game in the 62nd minute before Kylian Mbappe equalised with a penalty.
France were on top and searching for the winner but three minutes from the end of normal time Lukaku looked to have won the game for Belgium after connecting with a cross from Carrasco only for the effort to be annulled.
France midfielder Paul Pogba then hit the top of the post with a superb curling free-kick before Les Bleus grabbed victory with the 90th minute strike from Hernandez. Follow all the reaction from the game below.
GOAL! Belgium 2 - 1 France (Benzema, 62’)⚽️
62 mins: It’s 2-1 now! Mbappe’s fancy footwork is in play again as he shifts the ball away from Tielemans before running into the box. A pass into Benzema comes next and the Real Madrid striker holds it up before turning around Denayer and slotting it into the far bottom corner! Fantastic finish.
Belgium 2 - 0 France
57 mins: How’s he missed?! This is a huge opportunity for France as Mbappe tricks his way past Carrasco with a delightful shimmy to get into the box. He squares the ball from the right side and finds Griezmann in the six-yard. The ball gets stuck under Griezmann’s feet and he only manages to prod it wide of the near post! That should’ve been 2-1.
Belgium 2 - 0 France
54 mins: Almost. The ball comes to Pogba just outside the box bang in front of goal. He thread a pass into the box and gets hit by Axel Witsel who arrives late with his challenge. The ball hits Griezmann who knocks it down to Benzema. Benzema shoots and forces Courtois into a save but the offside flag is up.
There’s a quick VAR check on the Witsel tackle for a potential red card but nothing comes from it.
Belgium 2 - 0 France
51 mins: France win a free kick over to the inside left of Belgium’s half. Antoine Griezmann flicks the set piece into the middle of the box and finds Paul Pogba who rise above everyone else to meet the ball with a decent header. He sends it towards goal but can’t get the ball to dip under the crossbar and it goes over.
Belgium 2 - 0 France
48 mins: Belgium attempt to play their way through the French midfield but a cheeky flick from De Bruyne gives the ball to Pogba. He pushes forward before belting a shot from long range and swerving it wide of the right hand post. It wasn’t really close but it’s a good sign of intent from France.
Second half: Belgium 2 - 0 France
Kick off: France get the game back underway working the ball out to Pavard on the right wing. He attempts a quick, one-touch pass into the middle for Griezmann but mishits it and gives the ball to Belgium.
Belgium 2 - 0 France
Summing up the first half:
Belgium 2 - 0 France
As it stands Spain will be facing Belgium in Sunday’s Nations League final with Italy hosting France for the third place play-off.
But, this game isn’t over yet.
France have 45 minutes to change things around and they aren’t the World champions for nothing.
Half-time: Belgium 2 - 0 France
45+1 mins: The first half wasn’t as one-sided as the scoreline may suggest but Belgium have been the better side. It wasn’t a fairly even contest for around 25 minutes with chances coming at both ends but Belgium stepped up a gear. A prolonged period on the ball allowed them time to penetrate the French defence and two glorious goals later they have a firm grip on the game.
Didier Deschamps needs to come up with a good team talk at the break if France are going to get back into this one.
Belgium 2 - 0 France
45 mins: It’s still all Belgium. Lukaku continues to dominate the French defence as he holds up the ball on the edge of the box before laying it off to Hazard. Hazard hits a decent shot towards the bottom left corner but it’s too close to Lloris who clings on to the shot.
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