France qualified for only the second ever UEFA Nations League final after a remarkable semi-final comeback against Belgium, with Theo Hernández scoring the game-winning goal in the 90th minute in Turin. In order to make amends for their round of 16 defeat at UEFA EURO 2020, the world champions displayed outstanding collective fortitude against Romelu Lukaku and co. to win another trophy shot.
Spain, on the other hand, had a more tranquil journey to this showpiece. In Milan, Luis Enrique’s team defeated European champions Italy, breaking their opponents’ world-record unbeaten run.
Venue and Time: San Siro in Milan on Sunday 10 October at 20:45 CET.
Congratulations France, 2021 UEFA Nations League champions!
Benzema & Mbappé net as France become champions Spain defeated in Milan final after taking lead
Full-time verdict: France
France’s talent and team spirit saw them bounce off the floor once again, in the manner of a heavyweight boxer to deliver the knockout punch. Something special has happened in the squad this week. United and with Benzema and Mbappé scoring for fun, Les Bleus are worthy champions.
Full-time verdict: Spain
Valiant, vivacious but no victory. That’s the way to brand this Spain defeat. They played against hard-bitten winners and, in the end, that gave France the edge. But how Spain worked, mentally and physically, to win their first tournament since 2012 and there’s not a single man in this squad who won’t go away thinking: ‘we could have won that’. Fuel for the future.
Spain’s first-ever game with VAR came in March 2017 against France. Then, they won 2-0 with France having two goals ruled out by the technology. On Sunday, though, it became their enemy as their lost the Nations League final to the world champions.
Spain midfielder Sergio Busquets has criticised VAR for allowing Kylian Mbappe’s late winner to stand in France’s 2-1 victory in the UEFA Nations League final.
Spain defeated in Milan final after taking lead
