France and Spain have spent much of the last 20 years trading places at the top of the international hierarchy. A few of the key men involved in Sunday’s Uefa Nations League final have recently traded accusations and affiliations across the border.
Take Manchester City’s Aymeric Laporte, who will this evening take leadership of a defence that must cope with the speed of Kylian Mbappe, the guile of Karim Benzema and the intelligent industry of Antoine Griezmann. Barely six months ago, Laporte was still an aspiring France international, who captained Les Bleus at every age-group level from under-17s to under-21s.
Then he received the persuasive phone calls that he had been missing in his life. They were coming from Luis Enrique, manager of Spain, where Laporte spent much of his developing career playing at Athletic Bilbao. He was eligible for La Roja, it was confirmed to him, and if he chose to take up his Spanish passport, he had a place ready for him in the senior red jersey.
Laporte said ‘Si!’, and made public a perceived slight that had been preying on his mind. He had messaged Didier Deschamps, the manager of France earlier in the season and says he had no reply.
Deschamps had previously called up Laporte to senior French squads without him actually playing and the sudden silence felt uncomfortable. “Maybe he had changed his number,” Laporte shrugged, “but I used the one I had spoken with him on before.”
Laporte committed to Spain in May, and promptly played every minute of Euro 2020, in which he and his adopted nation reached the semi-final, losing on penalties to Italy. Laporte ended up having delivered more passes for a team that specialise in accurate passing than any other Spaniard at the tournament.
France? They went home earlier, at the last 16 stage, Deschamps having made no secret of his irritation at Laporte for accusing him of rude indifference. “It’s a lie,” he said of the story of the unanswered message.
What is known of Deschamps is that when a big call needs to be made, he will pick up the phone. He ended a six-year, bitter row with Benzema in March by recalling the striker from his long Bleus exile, with France in need of the brilliance Benzema has given to Real Madrid for the last dozen years.
Like Benzema, Griezmann has spent his peak years in Spain’s La Liga, so there is no lack of familiarity with the threat that a worldly France pose to a Spanish team who short on experience in key positions.
Belgium 2 France 3: player ratings
-
BELGIUM PLAYER RATINGS: Thibaut Courtois, 5 - Restricted to a few routine stops in a lively first half. He did well to beat away Pogba’s powerful effort with a smart stop, but struggled to get anywhere near a hat-trick of clinical strikes as France hit back. Getty Images -
Toby Alderweireld, 5 - Probably feared the worst when he found himself in a footrace with Mbappe in which he was soon shown a pair of clean heels by the lightning-quick 22-year-old - a preview of the nightmare second half that was still to come. Getty -
Jason Denayer, 7 - Thwarted Benzema with a cracking block after the striker had found space in behind and seemed to tidy up everything at the back in the first half, but couldn’t keep out the rampant French after the break. AFP -
Jan Vertonghen, 5 - A composed first-half display in which he read the game as well as ever, but at 34 his legs aren’t as spritely as they once were and he was run ragged by Mbappe in the second half. AFP -
Timothy Castagne, 6 - Got away with one early on when he hacked down Mbappe on the halfway line. A decent showing from the Leicester man, but he had no answer to a fabulous France performance in the second 45. Getty Images -
Axel Witsel, 6 - Seemed to be in the battles everywhere. Robbed of possession in midfield by Benzema and survived a VAR check after leaving a sore one on Pogba. Found De Bruyne in the build-up to Belgium’s second, but his night ended miserably. Getty Images -
Youri Tielemans, 4 - Sloppy. Set his sights from distance in the 13th minute but he could only pick out the stands, before giving possession away cheaply as Belgium tried to play through the press. Clipped Griezmann as Mbappe levelled the scores from 12-yards. Getty Images -
Yannick Carrasco, 8 - Carried out his defensive duties early on when he outmuscled Mbappe by the right touchline inside two minutes and he proved equally effective at the other end when he opened the scoring with a deflected strike. AFP -
Kevin De Bruyne, 8 - He’ll still be scratching his head as to how Lloris twice denied him with a couple of stunning saves, but it was deja vu in between when he slotted in behind for Lukaku to double Belgium’s advantage. Getty Images -
Eden Hazard, 6 - One No 10 thwarted another when he pinched possession from Mbappe inside his own penalty area. Almost added number three after a lovely one-two with Lukaku, but Lloris was able to cling onto his low strike. Reuters -
Romelu Lukaku, 9 - Four in three now for Belgium’s number 9 who turned provider when his low cross bobbled through to De Bruyne who drew an unbelievable save. Took matters into his own stands when he stormed through and crashed home for 2-0. Emphatic. Getty Images -
SUBS: Hans Vanaken (on for Tielemans, 70’), NR - Couldn’t turn the tide back in his side’s favour despite his best efforts. EPA -
Leandro Trossard (on for Hazard, 74’), NR - The battling Brighton man is certainly capable of goals, but he didn’t really have much opportunity to leave his mark on this one as France produced a sublime second-half showing. AP -
Michy Batshuayi (on for Castagne, 92’), NR - Thrown on for the dying seconds, but Roberto Martinez expected a little too much if he was hoping the forward would pluck an equaliser out of thin air. EPA -
FRANCE PLAYER RATINGS: Hugo Lloris, 7 - Twice denied De Bruyne with a stunning save in each half, including a phenomenal stop inside four minutes. Completely wrong-footed by Carrasco’s opener and had no chance of stopping Lukaku’s piledriver.EPA -
Jules Kounde, 7 - A spark of resilience at the back. Survived a seemingly perilous situation with a faultless foot deny Hazard before later thwarting the charging Carrasco. You suspect the Sevilla man has a big future ahead. Getty Images -
Raphael Varane, 7 - Sprayed a wonderful ball out to the left-hand side as France showed their class. Marshalled Lukaku well in the first-half and made a couple of vital interceptions, but even he couldn’t keep out the formidable forward for too long. Reuters -
Lucas Hernandez, 6 - A memorable occasion as France’s lineup featured two brothers for the first time since 1974, but he struggled to cope with De Bruyne and Lukaku as France found themselves on the wrong end of the scoreline. Troubled significantly less after the break. AFP -
Benjamin Pavard, 6 - He was twice too slow to react as Carrasco burst into the box to open the scoring before crossing for Lukaku to net an apparent winner only for VAR to intervene, and it was Pavard who picked out Theo Hernadez to steel the headlines. AFP -
Paul Pogba, 7 - A positive outing. Showed excellent feet to waltz away from De Bruyne in an intriguing Mancunian battle in the middle and later picked the pocket of Lukaku on the edge of his own box. Inches away from a stunner when his breathtaking free-kick hit the bar. Reuters -
Adrien Rabiot, 6 - Picked his passes well in the middle in spells in a steady display, but he was replaced by Aurelien Tchouameni for the final 20 minutes as Didier Deschamps opted to freshen things up. AFP -
Theo Hernandez, 7 - If it was a memorable night for his brother, Lucas, Theo’s night was something else, and the 24-year-old completed a remarkable comeback to fire his side into the Nations League final with a wonderful strike from range. AP -
Antoine Griezmann, 7 - Linked up nicely with Mbappe and crafted his side’s best opening in the first half. Missed an absolute sitter when he side-footed wide after excellent work from the former, but won his side a crucial penalty when he beat Tielemans to the ball. Getty Images -
Karim Benzema, 8 - Always probing. He did superbly to steal possession from Witsel on halfway before feeding Mbappe in the first half and he somehow managed to squeeze his effort into the corner to haul France back into the contest. Getty Images -
Kylian Mbappe, 9 - Buried his penalty pain with an electric performance in which he was France’s biggest threat all evening. Showed excellent feet to dance around challenges before teeing up Benzema for 2-1 and hammered his side level from 12-yards with an emphatic spot-kick. Getty Images -
Aurelien Tchouameni (on for Rabiot, 75’), NR - Introduced for the final 15 minutes or so to help his side plug any gaps in the middle. EPA -
SUBS: Leo Dubois (on for Pavard, 92’), NR - More fresh legs late on as the Formidable French held firm. AFP -
Jordan Veretout (on for Benzema, 97’), NR - A last-gasp cameo, but who wouldn’t have wanted to be on the pitch at the full-time whistle in this one? What. A. Game. AFP
In Milan on Sunday, Laporte, 27 but with only 11 caps, will be partnered in central defence by Pau Torres, owner of only 15 caps, the pair of them in front of goalkeeper Unai Simon — 17 caps — and behind a midfield likely to include Barcelona’s 17-year-old Gavi, who has played just 275 minutes of senior league football in his life. Gavi won his first Spain cap in Wednesday’s 2-1 win over Italy in the Nations League semi-final.
It has been an exhilarating mini-tournament for newcomers. Gavi and teenage substitute Yeremy Pino shone for Spain as they brought to an end Italy’s 37-match unbeaten run. France had a freshman as their hero in their comeback from 2-0 down to Belgium in Thursday’s semi-final. Theo Hernandez scored France’s third, winning goal in the 90th minute of his second senior cap.
Celebrating with him was his older brother Lucas, who like Theo grew up in Spain and in the Atletico Madrid youth system. They were born in Marseille but have called Madrid their hometown almost all their lives.
Both could have played for Spain. As recently as early 2018, Lucas Hernandez said publicly he would do so happily. That March, Deschamps called him. By July Lucas Hernandez was lifting the World Cup with France, and a year later joining Bayern Munich for €80 million.
Part of the temptation for his younger brother, 24-year-old Theo, to represent Spain rather than France was that Lucas was soon busy making the left-back position for Les Bleus his own. Theo, now of AC Milan, also plays there.
But last week, Deschamps found a way to have the siblings lining up in competitive game together for the first time in their careers, Lucas in a back three, Theo wider, as wing-back. In the 90th minute against Belgium it looked like a tactical masterstroke.
Italy 1 Spain 2: player ratings
-
ITALY RATINGS: Gianluigi Donnarumma – 6. Made an uncharacteristic error just after Spain broke the deadlock, juggling Alonso’s long range shot onto the woodwork and needing Bonucci’s clearance to keep it out. Couldn’t do much about either goals. Getty Images -
Giovanni Di Lorenzo – 6. Beat Azpilicueta to get a low header to threaten Simon’s near post. Getty Images -
Leonardo Bonucci – 3 A short-lived display by the Juve man. Should have done a lot better to stop Oyarzabal’s cross. Made a vital clearance as his goalkeeper struggled to stop Alonso’s shot but saw a second yellow just before half time. Should have known better with a yellow card early on. Getty Images -
Alessandro Bastoni – 5. Chosen to start instead of Chiellini, and Roberto Mancinci might have been regretting that as the centre-back was often caught out of position. Not helped with Bonucci’s sending off. Getty Images -
Emerson – 6. A few positive glimpses early on but caught ball watching and lost his man as Torres doubled Spain’s lead. Getty Images -
Nicolo Barella – 5. Another player to struggle against Spain’s midfield with a measly 15 passes all game. Getty Images -
Jorginho – 6. Quiet first half but endured quite the feisty restart, colliding with Torres and Gavi in a physical display in the middle as he took things into his own hands and looked to use his experience to inspire his side. Subbed off soon after. Getty Images -
Marco Verratti – 5. An anonymous player in midfield for Italy throughout the second half and struggled to deal with Spain’s trio. Reuters -
Federico Chiesa – 7. The in-form striker could have got his team ahead within five minutes with an early shot to Simon’s right side. Produced a storming run with minutes left to beaten Spain’s defence and lay the ball on a plate for Pellegrini. Getty Images -
Federico Bernardeschi – 6. With no Ciro Immobile, Bernardeschi started as a false nine and forced Simon low with an effort. Sacrificed at half-time as Italy looked to salvage their unbeaten run. Getty Images -
Lorenzo Insigne – 6. Could have celebrated his 50th cap for his country with a goal but was unable to convert in Italy’s best chance in the first half when he was left unmarked. Getty Images -
SUB: Giorgio Chiellini (Bernardeschi, 45’) – 6. Came on at half-time following Bonucci’s second yellow as Italy looked for experience to find a way back in. Looked like a damage limitation option for most of the second half but saw Chiesa run onto his clearance and spark the break to give Italy some hope. Getty Images -
SUB: Moise Kean (Insigne, 58’) – 5. A last minute call-up as Mancini struggled to name a striker in his team but struggled to see much of the ball. Getty Images -
SUB: Lorenzo Pellegrini (Jorginho, 64’) – 6. Madeno mistake when faced one-on-one with Unai Simon. Getty Images -
SUB: Davide Calabria (Barella, 72’) – N/R. A late addition to Mancini’s squad and replaced a quiet Barella, but a matter of coming on too late. Getty Images -
SPAIN RATINGS: Unai Simon – 6. Did well when he faced both Chiesa’s and Bernardeschi’s low shots. Faced with a one-on-one situation with Chiesa but was always at a disadvantage as he slotted it to Pellegrini. Getty Images -
Cesar Azpilicueta – 7. The experience right-back looked surprised as Di Lorenzo ran in front and got his low header on target just before the 30-minute mark, but it was largely a comfortable display for the Chelsea defender. Booked. Getty Images -
Aymeric Laporte – 7. His international career with Spain is still in the early stages after his switch for the summer but Laporte looked to be a strong addition when needed. EPA -
Pau Torres – 5. Didn’t have much to do as Spain dominated large parts of the game but made a feeble attempt at stopping Chiesa’s counter attack for the goal. EPA -
Marcos Alonso – 8. Played some lovely balls for Sarabia to run onto in the early stages and was no surprise to see the goal come from him and Oyarzabal. Could have made it 2-0 just seconds later, hitting the woodwork when Donnarumma was unable to stop it. Getty Images -
Koke – 7. All over the pitch as Spain’s midfield trio contrasted to their opposition and a large part in why so many attacks came from the left wing. Gave plenty of support to Alonso to attack. Getty Images -
Sergio Busquets – 7. Unlike his counterpart, the 33-year-old put in a captain’s display to cement a strong midfield for his country. AFP -
Gavi – 7. A surprise start for the young midfielder as he became Spain’s youngest debutant at just 17. He was seemingly nervous in the first few minutes, losing the ball for Chiesa’s shot but did well to force Veratti wide and read Insigne’s free-kick to stop a training ground move coming to fruition. Proved to be a player Italy struggled to keep quiet. Getty Images -
Pablo Sarabia – 7. With Luis Enrique unable to name Gerard Moreno and Alvaro Morata in his squad, Sarabia came in to support a makeshift front line and linked up well in the opening stages with Alonso. Did well in the build up of Spain’s second to hold up and shield the ball from Bastoni and lay it out for Oyarzabal. Booked. Getty Images -
Ferran Torres – 8. Continued to add to his international tally of goals for Spain as he karate-kicked Oyarzabal’s ball into the net. Made no mistake doubling his country’s lead on the half-time whistle. Subbed minutes after the restart for a foot injury. Getty Images -
Mikel Oyarzabal – 8. Part of a partnership made in heaven as twice he delivered the perfect crosses for Torres. Beat Bonucci for the first and a looping ball for the second. Couldn’t get his header on target for what would have been a deserved goal. Booked. AP Photo -
SUB: Yeremi Pino (Torres 49’) – 6 Played in Oyarzabal minutes after coming into the game. Produced a lovely ball for Alonso, which forced an excellent save by Donnarumma. Inexperience could be blamed as he headed Chiellini’s clearance to Pau Torres whose poor effort to clear sparked Italy’s goal. Booked. AFP -
SUB: Bryan Gil (Sarabia 75’) – N/R. A late addition to the matchday squad following Marcos Llorente’s injury. Getty Images -
SUB: Sergi Roberto (Gavi, 83’) – N/R. Brought on as Spain looked to defend their lead following Italy’s goal. AFP -
SUB: Mikel Merino (Koke 75’) – N/R. Couldn’t make the desired impact as Spain looked to see out the game. AFP
