TURIN, Italy – Kylian Mbappe redeemed himself with a goal and an assist as France came from two goals down to beat Belgium 3-2 and reach the Nations League final.
Theo Hernandez scored the last-minute winner to complete the comeback and send world champion France through to Sunday’s final against Spain.
Two quickfire goals at the end of the first half had given Belgium a seemingly comfortable lead but Mbappe, who became the youngest player to reach 50 caps for Les Bleus, set up Karim Benzema’s goal in the 62nd minute and converted a penalty seven minutes later.
The 22-year-old Mbappe was made somewhat of a scapegoat for France´s failure at the European Championship after missing the decisive penalty in the shootout in France´s loss to Switzerland in the round of 16.
Theo Hernandez and his brother Lucas Hernandez were named in the starting lineup for France, in midfield and defense. It was the first time two brothers had played together for Les Bleus since Herve and Patrick Revelli in 1974.
Spain beat Italy in the other semi-final.
Belgium was looking to avenge its semifinal defeat to France at the 2018 World Cup and it almost got off the perfect start as Jules Kounde´s woeful clearance from Romelu Lukaku’s cross fell straight to Kevin De Bruyne, who was in a great position in the middle of the penalty area. But his shot was palmed around the post by France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris.
France had a good chance at the other end soon after but Benjamin Pavard sent his effort straight into the arms of Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, following good work from Mbappe.
After that high-tempo start, the match calmed down, with Belgium restricted to shots from distance.
But Belgium took control shortly before halftime. Yannick Carrasco broke the deadlock in the 37th minute when he cut inside from the left, turned a defender and drilled into the near bottom corner.
De Bruyne provided the assist for that goal, spotting Carrasco´s run, and he did the same four minutes later as he threaded a through-ball to Lukaku, who collected with his back to goal before turning, racing clear of Lucas Hernández and firing into the roof of the net.
“Well, that’s a comfortable lead!” the Belgium team’s official Twitter account wrote at halftime according to AP.
That proved premature as France upped the pressure at the start of the second half and nearly pulled a goal back in the 58th minute when Mbappe cut in from the right and rolled the ball across to Antoine Griezmann, who fired just wide of the post.
France did reduce the deficit four minutes later as Mbappe again danced his way past defenders before finding Benzema, who managed to squeeze in a swiveling shot despite being surrounded by red shirts.
And Deschamps’ side was level shortly afterwards when Mbappe drove a penalty kick into the top right corner after Youri Tielemans was adjudged – with the help of video review – to have fouled Griezmann.
Belgium almost immediately restored its advantage but Lloris managed to push De Bruyne´s attempt over the bar.
Lukaku thought he had scored a late winner but it was ruled out for offside. Instead it was France which snatched victory as Theo Hernandez curled into the far side of the net following a good team move.
Discussion about this post