AFCON 2025
Photo credit : goal.com
By Chima Azu
The French national team came from behind to defeat Belgium in Turin to move into the finals of Euro Nations League with goals from Karim Benzema, Mbappe and Theo Hernandez after Belgium were ahead 2-0 in quick succession in the first half.
The Belgians were in full control of the first half by taking the lead when Carrasco put them ahead with a fine shot that got Hugo Lloris wrong footed. Three minutes after Lukaku doubled their lead with an exquisite finish after he beat his marker with a dummy and shot pass Spurs goalkeeper with his weaker foot by making it 68 goals for his national team. First half ended with Belgium in total control as they dominated possession.
Didier Deschamps tweaked his formation in the second half and his team pressed more from from the front which later paid off. Mbappe was a menace for the Belgian defense with his skills and tricks which he used to great effect to setup Benzema to give France a lifeline. Mbappe later made up for his penalty miss in the Euros with a well taken spot kick to make it 2-2 after Griezmann was fouled by Tieleman.
Carrasco created a sublime cross to Lukaku who converted it and thought he has scored but was later ruled offside by VAR. Pogba later hit the crossbar with a well taken freekick that got Courtois beaten, but it was Theo Hernandez that hit the nail on the coffin with stunner from outside the box to condemn Belgium to a third place playoff. France will now meet Spain in the final in San Siro on Sunday to decide who will be champion of the Nations League.
