France crowned itself champion of the second edition of the UEFA Nations League after overcoming a goal deficit to win 2-1 against Spain at San Siro in Milan on Sunday. Spain opened the scoring through Mikel Oyarzabal (64), but the world champions quickly responded with Karim Benzema (66) and Kylian Mbappe scored the winning goal (80).
Portugal won the first edition in June 2019 against the Netherlands in the final after the tournament began in September 2018, which was launched by UEFA to substitute friendly matches. Both teams reached the final after delivering remarkable performances, with "La Roja" avenging their loss to Italy, which eliminated them from the Euro semi-finals in July, with a 2-1 victory, ending Italy's 37-match unbeaten streak over more than three years. France turned the tables on Belgium on Thursday after trailing 2-0 at halftime, ultimately winning 3-2, with Theo Hernandez scoring a last-minute goal.
This title marks the second for coach Didier Deschamps with the French team after leading them to World Cup glory in Russia 2018, about 14 months before the finals in Qatar 2022. France redeemed its disappointment from the Euro this summer after a surprising exit in the Round of 16 against Switzerland on penalties after being ahead 3-1 with 15 minutes left in regulation time.
This match was the first between the two teams in a major tournament since Spain defeated France 2-0 in the Euro 2012 quarter-finals with a brace from midfielder Xabi Alonso during his 100th international match, on their way to clinching the continental title against Italy with a 4-0 victory.
Deschamps made two changes to the lineup that started against Belgium, bringing in Aurélien Tchouaméni in midfield instead of Adrien Rabiot, who was sidelined due to a COVID-19 infection, and Presnel Kimpembe in defense instead of Lucas Hernandez. As for Spain, Enrique kept Ferran Torres in the attack, who scored two goals against Italy, after he missed training due to a leg injury sustained early in the second half against the "Azzurri." Rodri from Manchester City started in midfield instead of Koke, and Eric Garcia played center back in place of Pau Torres.
The match also marked Antoine Griezmann's 100th appearance for the French national team, making him only the ninth player to achieve this milestone.
