Spain vs France LIVE: Nations League result, final score and reaction tonight
Follow all the post-match fallout live from the San Siro in Milan
France won the second ever edition of the Nations League on Sunday evening, coming from behind to beat Spain 2-1 at the San Siro in Milan.
Following Portugal’s triumph against the Netherlands in the inaugural final of the competition in 2019, another heavyweight clash decided this year’s winners, and both the Spanish and French certainly earned their spots in the showpiece match. On Wednesday night, Spain ended the remarkable unbeaten run of European champions Italy for a 2-1 win to avenge their defeat in this summer’s Euro 2020 semi-finals, while France battled from two goals down to overcome Belgium 3-2 in the last minute on Thursday.
Didier Deschamps’ side had to produce another comeback here, too, with Oyarzabal opening the scoring for Spain in the 64th minute, just seconds after Theo Hernandez had hit the crossbar for Les Bleus. The end-to-end action immediately continued, with Karim Benzema curling a stunning finish past Unai Simon from the edge of the Spain box to draw France level. In the 80th minute, Kylian Mbappe sealed the victory for the reigning world champions, a VAR check ruling that the Paris Saint-Germain forward was not offside – despite what many observers thought.
Follow all the fallout from the 2021 Nations League final between Spain and France, below, and read the full match report here.
Spain 1-2 France
82 mins: That was a brilliant finish from Mbappe, who stepped over the ball before finishing with his left foot. Nice play, too, from Hernandez who cut inside before playing the ball behind Garcia. Spain looked like they were caught cold.
GOAL! Spain 1-2 France (MBAPPE 80’)
Out of nowhere, France take the lead! The ball is played wide to Hernandez and then slipped in to Mbappe, who finishes past Simon at his near post.
But hold on, Mbappe looks like he might have been offside and the goal is being checked. But no, it stands!
Spain 1-1 France
76 mins: Brilliant from Yeremi. He pulls the ball down from the sky before dribbling to the edge of the box and slipping in the over-lapping Koke. France clear for a corner, which hits the first man.
Spain 1-1 France
75 mins: A dangerous France move involving Pogba, Benzema and Mbappe ends as Spain boot the ball clear, before Pogba tries his luck from range with a drive that sails over the bar.
Spain 1-1 France
74 mins: It’s almost as if a switch was flicked in this game - it’s a completely different contest now. Koke is Spain’s next change and comes on for Gavi, who has done himself proud again with his performance in midfield.
Spain 1-1 France
71 mins: Chance! Benzema turns on the edge of the box and slips in Mbappe in the left channel. He opens his body and looks to roll the ball into the far corner, but he doesn’t connect with his shot and Simon can save comfortably.
Spain 1-1 France
70 mins: Mbappe is played in down the right wing but there’s no one there to help him. It’s end to end at the moment, and even Mbappe’s team-mates can’t keep up.
Spain 1-1 France
67 mins: What an unbelievable five minutes. Hernandez hit the bar after a brilliant French move, Oyarzabal finished past Lloris with a composed finish, Benzema curled in a stunner, and we have a classic final on our hands!
Game on!
Spain 1-1 France
66 mins: The action is relentless! Now Mbappe is played in over the top, he tries to chip Simon but it lands on the roof of the net!
GOAL! Spain 1-1 France (BENZEMA 65’)
INSANE! France immediately hit back and what a goal this is from Benzema! He cuts in from the left and curls an unstoppable shot into the far corner!
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