Final victory against Spain
France wins Nations League title
For a long time it was a game of tactics. In the end, France beat Spain 2-1 in the Nations League final.
© Luca Bruno / DPA
Almost three years after triumphing at the World Cup, France is now also the winner of the Nations League. In the final, the Equipe Tricolore defeated Spain 2-1.
France is the winner of the Nations League. Thanks to its superstar Kylian Mbappé from Paris Saint-Germain, the Equipe Tricolore has now also crowned itself with this title a good three years after the world championship title. The ensemble of extra talent from coach Didier Deschamps prevailed in the final with 2: 1 (0: 0) against Germany conquerors Spain and thus follows the first winner Portugal.
Mbappé scored the winning goal in the 80th minute in the 80th minute in San Siro, Milan, which at least made it possible to forget a little about its weak European football championship. In the summer of the last sixteen against Switzerland, the dream of the title fell through. “We showed the team’s strength of character, never gave up,” said Karim Benzema, who had equalized. “We’ll enjoy preparing ourselves well for the World Cup and trying to win it.”
The Spaniards, on the other hand, are still waiting for their first trophy since winning the European Championship in 2012. Mikel Oyarzabal (64th minute) brought coach Luis Enrique’s team into the lead after winning a duel with substitute Bayern defender Dayot Upamecano, Benzema resembled just two minutes later with a fine fluff. In Mbappé’s winning goal, the Spaniards protested over alleged offside position, but the English referee Anthony Taylor gave the goal after verification.
Instead of big offensive moments like in the high-class semifinals, the game had long been tactical. Again and again the urge to attack was stopped by fouls. After a pass from Paul Pogba, Benzema turned around the Spanish goalkeeper Simon in the sixth minute – but César Azpilicueta was able to save before Mbappé in the middle.
With the usual ball possession style with a high accuracy of pass, Spain dominated the game after the initial phase, but just as rarely came dangerously in front of the goal. With a weak shot from Pablo Sarabia, France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris had no problems (12th).
Many injured on both sides
The defense of the world champion was secure, from the defensive trio of FC Bayern only Benjamin Pavard made it into the starting line-up. His Munich team-mate Lucas Hernández had to sit on the bench after beating Belgium 3-2 in the semifinals, and Upamecano also sat outside. The ex-Leipzig moved into the center shortly before the break when defense chief Raphael Varane left the field injured.
With the Spaniards, who were also plagued by abuses, Ferran Torres got fit in time. The offensive player from Manchester City had scored both goals in the 2-1 semi-finals over European champions Italy, but had to be substituted. In the 6: 0 in the decisive preliminary round match of the Nations League against Germany, Torres had been successful three times – but remained against France without the big accents.
Both teams started the second half at a much faster pace. At first there was still a lack of precision, but then the hoped-for spectacular exchange of blows developed. First, France’s Theo Hernández hit only the lower edge of the crossbar from six meters, the ball jumped in front of the goal line.
In direct return, Oyarzabal went into a direct duel with Upamecano after Sergio Busquets’ steep pass and did not make the Bayern professional look good before the successful conclusion. But a little later Benzema flicked the ball from 15 meters over Unai Simon to equalize. After the 2: 1, Lloris saved the French victory shortly before the end with several parades.