KYLIAN IS KING OF COMEBACKS
But Spain complain his winner was offside
KYLIAN MBAPPE capped another dramatic comeback to win the Nations League trophy for France.
The PSG star’s 80th-minute strike settled a final that had exploded into life in the 64th minute when Mikel Oyarzabal put Spain ahead, only for Karim Benzema to equalise just two minutes later.
Then with the game in the balance, Mbappe kept his cool to hit the winner in the San Siro for the 2018 World Cup champions.
Spain complained the striker was offside but Premier League referee Anthony Taylor awarded the goal after it was reviewed by VAR official Stuart Attwell.
France had made their way to the final in dramatic fashion, staging a stunning second-half comeback to overturn a two-goal deficit against Belgium.
And initially it looked as though they had carried the momentum they had built up in the semi-final into this showdown.
Paul Pogba immediately made an impression on the game with a superb threaded pass that sent Benzema clear.
But Spain keeper Unai Simon did superbly to push the striker wide allowing the recovering defenders to snuff out the danger.
That though, proved to be a rare moment of threat from Didier Deschamps’ side during the first half.
And once Spain got into their stride, they began to dominate possession as the midfield trio of Sergio Busquets, Rodri and the outstanding 17-year-old Gavi took control.
Manchester City striker Ferran Torres – scorer of both goals in the semi-final victory over Italy – looked increasingly dangerous and it was his pass that allowed Pablo Sarabia to test Hugo Lloris with a shot on the turn.
France striker Mbappe was kept on the fringe of the action before the break while their defence kept Spain at bay – despite the disruption of seeing centre-back Raphael Varane hobble off in the 42nd minute.
After a first half stalemate, the tempo of the game cranked up after the restart with both sides showing more intent.
And the clash see-sawed dramatically midway through the second half as France thought they’d scored in 63 minutes when Theo Hernandez’s effort crashed against the underside of the bar.
Spain countered with Sergio Busquets sending Oyarzabal clear and the Real Sociedad man outpaced Dayot Upamecano before slotting the ball across Lloris and inside the far.
But the Spanish celebrations had barely died down when Les Bleus were level.
Benzema picked up the ball on the edge of the penalty area and struck a curler into the top corner.
And it was France who delivered the knockout blow 10 minutes from time when Mbappe raced behind Spain’s backline to collect Hernandez’s pass before finishing calmly.