Mbappe winner as France beat Spain in Nations League final

Wednesday, 13 October 2021 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

France's Coach Didier Deschamps said his team has put their poor showing at Euro 2020 behind them with this title win - Franck Fife/AFP

MILAN (Reuters): World champions France won the Nations League final with goals from Karim Benzema and Kylian Mbappe earning them a 2-1 win over Spain at the San Siro stadium on Sunday.

Didier Deschamps’ side had struggled to get a foothold in the game during a first half dominated by Spain but after going a goal down, following Mikel Oyarzabal's strike, they came alive.

With Paul Pogba excellent in midfield, Mbappe's speed and movement stretching Spain and Benzema a constant threat, the French were good value for their victory.

“We showed our character against a very strong team. We never gave up,” said Benzema.

“It shows what great teams do – never panic, be patient and wait for the right time.”

Luis Enrique's young Spain side, who had beaten European champions Italy in the semi-finals, had played their trademark possession football with patience and precision but in the end could not compensate for the absence of a genuine striker.

“It was a difficult defeat,” said Spain's France-born defender Aymeric Laporte.

“We have proven to be a great team despite our youth, we have shown better football than them, but what counts is the result.”

The Nations League, in just its second edition, remains clearly UEFA's secondary tournament for national sides, as the Italian fans singing of their team's Euro 2020 triumph reminded, but that didn't dampen France's celebrations.

Earlier on Sunday, Italy had claimed third place in the Final Four tournament by beating Belgium 2-1 in Turin.