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.
Full time: Spain 1-2 France
Sergio Busquets, via RTVE: “We've drawn the line and Mbappe was offside. The referee has said that Eric Garcia went to play the ball and that annulled the offside. But it doesn't make sense. He didn't want to play the ball, he's tried to cut the ball out like any defender.
“We can’t do anything else other than keep on working and congratulate the champions. You have to take a step forward to win titles. We knew about their danger, we’ve tried to have long possession and in many phases of the game, we’ve managed it. When we were playing better, they’ve turned the game around and it’s a shame.
“You have to value reaching here, playing in a final of a new tournament, it’s difficult. It will helps us to compete, gain experience and in a month’s time, we have key World Cup qualifiers.”
Full time: Spain 1-2 France
Paul Pogba, via L’Equipe: “We started badly. Another first half where we were dominated by Spain. We were able to react after their goal. It’s true that we have to do better, but the result is victory at the end. If this is how we have to win, why not, we will continue like this. It’s always good to go for trophies. We always thirst for trophies, we are never satisfied. We were able to go uphill [come from behind] and win this match.”
Full time: Spain 1-2 France
France are celebrating their eight international honour: two World Cups (1998, 2018), two Euros (1984, 2000), two Confederations Cups (2001, 2003), the Intercontinental Cup (1985) and the Nations League (2021).
Full time: Spain 1-2 France
It’s a bit of a cliche, but perhaps the biggest winner this week has been the Nations League itself. While debate continues over the future of the international calendar, there is no question that replacing friendlies with an increased schedule of competitive fixtures between Europe’s top teams is beneficial to all involved. And to top it off, the Nations League finals is great entertainment and we’ve been treated to three high quality matches in Italy. Long may it continue.
Full time: Spain 1-2 France
It’s been a great week for Spain and Luis Enrique, whose young squad are building nicely towards Qatar next summer. They still have to qualify, of course, and are facing a battle with Sweden for the automatic spot in Group B. They were missing several first-team players against both Italy and Spain but remained competitive thanks to their passing and movement. They lacked a bit of a cutting edge tonight, but have Dani Olmo and Alvaro Morata to come back, and have been boosted by the emergence of Gavi and Yeremi this week. They’re clearly ready.
Full time: Spain 1-2 France
Spain have got through the task of picking up their runners-up medals, something that no player wants to do after losing a final.
Pogba is first up for France as the Nations League champions are presented with their medals. Lloris collects the trophy and lifts it into the air - France are Nations League winners!
Full time: Spain 1-2 France
Sergio Busquets is awarded player of the finals for his two performances against Italy and Spain this week. He was excellent tonight and showed his class in the face of France ramping up the pressure.
Karim Benzema was awarded man of the match in the final - thoroughly deserved after his stunning equaliser.
Full time: Spain 1-2 France
There will now be a trophy presentation with Luis Figo, the representative from previous champions Portugal, handing the trophy over.
Full time: Spain 1-2 France
For all of the controversy around the winner, France have certainly answered plenty of questions following their disappointing Euro campaign. They were behind in both Nations League fixtures this week but their stars produced quality at the important moments to steer them to victory. France were overall much better tonight than against Belgium on Wednesday, up against a very impressive Spain performance.
Full time: Spain 1-2 France
There’s plenty of respect out there between the two teams, who will recognise that they’ve just taken part in a final that had everything. Including, however, a moment of controversy.
Mbappe was indeed in an offside position for his goal, but the officials have decided that Eric Garcia’s deliberate touch on the ball cancels out that phase of play. It’s a contentious ruling, I think.
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