Righto, that’s us. Thanks all for your company and comments – I hope you enjoyed a pulsating second half. Here’s our match report, but otherwise ta-ra.
France came from behind – yet again – to win the Nations League, goals from Karim Benzema and Kylian Mbappé taking them past Spain, who had taken the lead through Mikel Oyarzabal
Updated
Sun 10 Oct 2021 17.07 EDT
First published on Sun 10 Oct 2021 13.45 EDT
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Key events
Hugo Lloris hoists the trophy high!
His teammates bounce behind him, then Pogba gets the celebrations underway and the the players take turns to enjoy a lift.
Tricolore draped over his shoulders – no, not the French textbook but imagine how great that’d be – Varane looks happy enough so perhaps his injury is minor. But maybe he’s just enjoying that lovely player-issue puffa – I know I would be. Anyhow, France ascend the dais, then Lloris gets ready to receive the trophy...
The incredible Sergio Busquets is awarded player of the tournament, then the officials collect their medals as the crowd boo. Martin Tyler is proud that they come from the same arbitrary landmass as he does; I hope the rest of you are equally so, even if you don’t.
We’re back with the players now, the French team forming a guard of honour for Spain to walk through as they collect their losers medals. I’m sure taking part in such a #classygesture will cushion the blow.
Yeah, looking at the laws, this is why the winner was allowed: “A player in an offside position receiving the ball from an opponent who deliberately plays the ball, including by deliberate handball, is not considered to have gained an advantage, unless it was a deliberate save by any opponent. “
I don’t know about that. I mean the officials got the call right, but I’m not sure the law is fair. Garcia played Mbappe offside but he could hardly be so convinced as to just let the ball by. I don’t mind giving the advantage to the attacker if a decision is marginal, but I don’t understand why we’re allowing one to be offside then on again.
Where’s Peter Walton when you need him to agree with whatever the officials have decided? It’s early doors I know, but he’s my shout for the new Bond.
“On French TV they say a Spanish player touched the ball after Hernandez’s pass, playing Mbappe back onside,” says Arnaud, while Teo Teng Kiat confirms that“Eric García deliberately got a touch to the pass, hence Mbappe was not deemed offside.”
I wonder if Garcia went for it because he knew Mbappe was off; that might be a loophole in the law, but ultimately it’s hard to bitch too much about the advantage going to the attacker.
That was an absolute blinder of a second half, to complete a jazzer of a week. The best teams playing each other with a trophy on the line – whoever at Uefa came up with that formula needs a raise.
Full-time: Spain 1-2 France! France win the Nations League!
Ad become the first country to win it, the World Cup and European Championships.
90+6 min We’re playing time added onto time added on and surely France are there now, Oyarzabal pumping into the box for Kimpembe to head away, then again!
90+4 min Spain win a corner down the left and Simon goes up; I think he gets a flick but either way his presence is confusing and France can’t get first or second contact, Oyarzabal smashing a shot goalwards ... that Lloris strongarms away superbly!
90+4 min It’s funny really, how long we’ve been sitting through nonsense internationals, when the answer was just “let’s have another competition”.
90+3 min Spain hump a hopeful cross into the box – I’ve always said they need Fellaini - but Kounde gets up with Oyarzabal then Pogba completes the clearance.
90+2 min France send on Veretout for Griezmann.
90 min This has been a fantastically frantic last 30, and we’ve five minutes more to enjoy, unless Spain can find an equaliser an earn us another half-hour.
89 min Now France charge down the other end and find Mbappe, this time on the right of the box. But he can’t sort he feet out as nicely as he did earlier, digging out a sidefooter that Simon saves easily enough.
88 min Busquets clips a delicious pass over the top which Alonso controls on his chest and on the burst, but that takes him wide and he can’t get off a shot or a cross. But Spain aren’t finished, Koke lofting to Oyarzabal whose volley skids and skips along the turf, banged away by Lloris with a strong arm! He did well to see the rebound elude the various attackers in the box, but that’s a crucial save!
88 min “It was miles offside,” emails Tim Stappard.
That’s what I thought, so wondered if there was something I’d missed. I wonder what the official missed if so.
87 min Pogba and Griezmann stand behind the free-kick, Pogba tapping while Greizmann turns, moving with the ball to larrup a curler over the bar.
86 min Dubois dashes past Laporte, who knocks him over and is booked.
85 min I’m actually a little surprised Rodri’s been sacrificed, as he’s the only Spain player who looks any kind of threat from corners. No, that’s not how they play, but with five to go a corner might be all they get.
84 min Ch-ch-changes for Spain, Merino on for Torres and Fornals for Rodri.
82 min That was also a fine pass from Hernandez, with just enough pace to elude Garcia’s slide but not too much to run through to the keeper.
81 min Looking at a replay, Mbappe looked offside to me, but the check is over and he’s on! Perhaps Alonso was playing him on over on the far side, but either way that was a beautifully worked-out finish.
GOAL! Spain 1-2 France (Mbappe 80)
Deschamps has the magic touch! A change of right-back and now look! Hernandez drives forward, flicking a pass into space for Mbappe, who steps over with his right foot to commit Simon, then slides past him on the near post side with his left! He is good at football!
80 min France send on Dubois for Pavard, who sits down and chucks shinpads in disgust.
78 min “Spain score on their first pass over three yards,” tweets Pete Mumola. “Just saying.”
Yup, I agree that they should mix it up more, but they lack a bit of thrust in attack so I can see why they don’t.
76 min Pino controls a goalkick beautifully on his thigh, spinning away and eventually sliding a pass into space for Koke, close to the right by-line. He crosses, and Tchouameni blocks at source, ceding a corner. It goes short and France force Spain back.
76 min “I was beginning to agree with Bob Cushion (re boring first half) and started watching an episode of Homeland while secretly watching the match on my computer. In the space of a few seconds, I’ve seen a crossbar hit, a wonderful Spanish goal and a simply astonishing effort from Benzema. I’m afraid I’ll have to put Homeland on hold.”
On which point, can I recommend Hatufim, the Israeli series on which Homeland was based? It’s well worth a look-in.
75 min Change for Spain, Koke replacing Gavi; it must be his bedtime.
74 min Rodri is a pretty decent target and Spain hit him again, but this time his flick sails over the bar.
73 min Rodri pushes forward and with no one closing him down he lets a shot go, a deflection sending the ball soaring over the bar for a corner.
72 min Suddenly Mbappe is finding space, and when Griezmann sweeps out to him, he looks to henry a finish into the far corner but doesn’t gets a decent connection, allowing Simon to save.
71 min “Based on just today’s matches,” says Mike MacKenzie, “I think Italy would have beaten either France or Spain today!”
Perhaps – I was on the WSL earlier so didn’t see the first game, but I’m not sure the matchups suit them.
70 min After a cagey hour this is now basketball, the sides swapping attacks. That’ll suit France, who have the deadlier forwards but have struggled to service them prior to this point.
69 min Wow, phew, etcetera.
68 min Here come France again, Mbappe running the channel to collect Griezmann’s path, and with Simon off his line he tries a chip which sails over the bar.
GOAL! Spain 1-1 France (Benzema 66)
HAVE A LOOK! Benzema, who’s been quiet, takes the ball on the left corner of the box, shifts it inside Azpilicueta ... and only bends a gorgeous finish into the far top corner! What a finish, what a player, and France have come from behind yet again!
GOAL! Spain 1-0 France (Oyarzabal 64)
This is terrific from Spain, Busquets playing a lovely pass to stick Oyarzabal in behind. His first touch shakes off Upamecano, then his second sends the ball skidding across Lloris and in! That’s a lovely goal!
64 min Nice from Pogba, setting France away down the left, and Mbappe screeches down the left then finds Benzema whose cross picks out Hernandez, and he batters his finish ... off the underside of the bar and away!
62 min Busquets makes sure to foul Griezmann, spinning on his arse while horizontal to head the ball away lest a counter be on. He’s obviously been watching Phil Jones.
62 min If we’re all-square after 90, it’s extra time then penalties.
61 min Pino, who was excellent off the bench against Italy, replaces Sarabia. He’ll go wide right, with Torres moving central.
60 min I can’t believe Deschamps is watching this thinking it’s going well, or according to plan, but he’s doing nothing to change things. Very odd.
59 min Triffic feet from Gavi, who wriggles out of trouble then spreads play right. Nothing comes of it, but I can’t wait to watch him alongside Pedri.
58 min Spain win a corner down the right which Alonso will swing in, and Rodri gets the flick ... but can only find Tchouameni, who clouts clear.
58 min These last few minutes have been better, but neither side has created anything.
56 min Alonso slides an oblique pass in behind for Gavi, who punishes legs and lungs to run past the strikers. But Tchouameni gets there first, just.
55 min Busquets is so good at getting to the ball first, nicking away from Kounde and wearing the inevitable lunge. Kounde follows Pogba into the book.
54 min This is more like it, Sarabia drifting wide then crossing low and well, the ball eluding Oyarzabal and Torres, just, then France nash up the other end where Pavard, on the touchline, sticks a decent ball in behind for Mbappe, forcing Alonso to slide in desperately. Good tackle.
53 min Pogba is lanking about with a fury we don’t see often enough, and he wins the ball in midfield then flies into a fifty/fifty that might see him sent off ... but he handles it well.
52 min Sarabia allows the ball to run by him, along the line, so Kounde nails him. Needle is rising...
51 min Pogba turns Rodri, who yanks him back, and when no yellow card is brandished, dismay follows.
49 min France don’t actually have loads on the bench; they might try Veretout, but a change of formation is where I’d start. Spain are hard enough to play with three on three in midfield but two on three? Donnez-moi un limon.