World champions France secured their first UEFA Nations League title after rallying from behind to defeat Spain 2-1 on Sunday night.
UEFA Nations League Final
Result: Spain 1-2 France
Date: 10 October 2021
Venue: Allianz Stadium
La Roja made just one change from the win over Italy, as Rodri started ahead of Koke while Les Bleus were without Adrien Rabiot who tested positive for Covid-19 and his place was taken by Aurelien Tchouameni while Presnel Kimpembe was recalled at the expense of Lucas Hernandez.
Didier Deschamps' charges almost went ahead in the sixth minute after Karim Benzema rounded shot-stopper Unai Simon from a through ball away from goal but his strike at goal was cleared by Cesar Azpilicueta.
Unai Emery's men grew in the game midway through the first stanza, with Ferran Torres particularly having joy on the right wing but they lacked the end product, as they could not get past Les Bleus' defence.
Marcos Alonso came the closest to breaking the deadlock for La Roja eight minutes before the half-time break with a free-kick from the edge of the box that flashed just wide of the far post, but France were forced to make a change towards the end of the first stanza after Raphael Varane got injured and was replaced by Dayot Upamecano.
The second stanza started at a frantic pace and Spain had a good chance to break the deadlock eight minutes into the second stanza after Pablo Sarabia's inviting cross was unable to find Torres at the far post, before Benzema cracked the underside of the crossbar after the hour mark.
However, La Roja went ahead immediately thereafter from a counter-attack, after Mikel Oyarzabal went through on goal and drilled a low strike across goal into the bottom corner.
Les Bleus responded two minutes later as Benzema produced a moment of brilliance, after a curling a strike from a digonal angle inside the box that Simon could only tip into the top corner.
With the game was on the edge after that, Mbappe gave Deschamps' troops the lead in the last ten minutes with a low finish past Simon after Eric Garcia deflected a through ball into his path.
Oyarzabal came close to making it 2-2 for Spain in the last two minutes with a cracking low strike that was heroically saved by goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, who made another last-gasp save to deny Yeremi Pino, as France held on to claim the title.
Here are the nominees for the 2021 Ballon d'Or award:
