France prove to be Theo deal in classic encounter
THEO HERNANDEZ fired home a 90th-minute winner as France fought back spectacularly to clinch a thriller and reach Sunday’s Nations League final.
The left-back struck his first international goal minutes after Romelu Lukaku’s effort was disallowed for offside for the Belgians via the use of VAR.
Belgium had led 2-0 until 62 minutes but France proved why they are world champions, hitting back through Karim
BELGIUM ............ FRANCE ...............
Benzema and Kylian Mbappe before Hernandez’s heroics set up a final against Spain.
It started well for the Belgians, who took a 37th-minute lead when Yannick Carrasco cut in from the left and drilled in a finish at the near post, wrongfooting Hugo Lloris. Four minutes later, Roberto Martinez’s side doubled their advantage as Lukaku latched on to Kevin de Bruyne’s through ball and fired a blistering shot into the roof of the net.
But Benzema pulled a goal back on the hour, turning and sliding a finish into the bottom corner from Mbappe’s lay-off.
And they drew level through Mbappe’s confidently taken penalty after Youri Tielemans’ trip on Antoine Griezmann inside the area. Lukaku thought he had won it with three minutes remaining after slotting in from Carrasco’s low cross but the strike was ruled out.
There was still time for Paul Pogba to rattle the bar with a sublime free-kick from 30 yards, before Hernandez struck.
The final takes place at the San Siro on Sunday while the third-place play-off between Belgium and Euros champs Italy is in Turin the same day.