Turin: World Champions France recovered from behind to eliminate Belgium , 3-2 in the semi-finals of UEFA Nations League at Juventus Stadium on Thursday. Late strike from Theo Hernandez saved the worries of penalty shootouts.
Belgium had gone into the game with a strong start while France really struggled in making any goal mouth action although the link up action between Antoine Griezmann , Kylian Mbappé and Karim Benzema was outstanding.
Yannick Carrasco had deservingly put the Red Devils ahead with a superbly taken shot , putting it past Hugo Lloris in the 37th minute. Three minutes after Lukaku doubled the lead for the side, slotting home a thunderous strike.
As the second half commenced, France looked like a really reformed side, and it was Benzema who put his team up in the 62nd minute. The Euro 2020 mishap ‘villain’ Mbappé was next in line to equalize it for his home team.
However Belgium thought they had sealed the deal with Romelu Lukaku’s powershot but it was ruled as offside.
The breakthrough came at the 90th minute, when Hernandez stunned Thibaut Curtois to had France the ticket to the finals.
“We were unlucky in the first half. We sat back a little too much,” said France coach Didier Deschamps after the match.
“They had a good period for 20 minutes but after that we were not in danger and had a lot of chances,” he added. “The result shows the character of the team. We were here to play the final and here we are.”
France will go ahead to face Luis Enrique’s Spain, who had just knocked Italy out , at the San Siro stadium on October 11.
