France beat Belgium 3-2 in the UEFA Nations League semi-finals. The world champions face Spain in the final. Meanwhile, Italy and Belgium will play a match for the third spot preceding the final.
France falls two down
After some back-and-forth moments in the first half, Belgium took the lead. Yannick Carrasco cut in from the left and unleashed a shot at the near post from just inside France’s goal area. The shot took a bit of deflection and beat Hugo Lloris in the near post.
Lukaku doubled the lead for Belgium three minutes later in the 40th minute with a pure center forward display. The Belgian took the ball to the feet spun away from his marker and shot the ball to the roof of the net from a tight angle. Belgium went into the break leading 2-0.
Second Half comeback
The second half was more of a similar story with both sides trying several long-range efforts from the distance.
Benzema, who has been in red hot form all season showed his ball mastery and pulled one back for France. The Real Madrid striker exploited small space in the Belgium box, beat two challenges spun, and shot at the far post to score France’s first goal.
Seven minutes later, France got a penalty as Griezmann was brought down inside the penalty area. Kylian Mbappe took the responsibility for himself. The young forward putting aside the penalty failure in Euro against Switzerland, shot past Courtois with confidence brimming. As a result, France leveled the scoring 2-2.
Belgium looked to have taken the lead after Lukaku put the ball in the net. However, the goal was overturned for off-side.
France had one last punch in them as Theo Hernandez, the left-back, shot from outside the box and beat Courtois to the far post. Didier Deschamps went Euphoric on the touchline after the goal. France held on to the lead until full-time.
France vs Spain
As a result, France now meets Spain in the final of the Nations League to be taking place on the 11th of October.
Meanwhile, Belgium will take on Italy who lost to Spain in the other semi-final, in the match for third place on the 10th of October.
