Theo Hernandez grabbed a late winner for France as they sent Belgium home in 3-2 win to reach the 2022 Nations League final.
Hosts Italy were knocked out by Spain the night before, as Belgium and France produced a five goal thriller at the Juventus Stadium in Turin.
France came back from being two goals down at the break, thanks to goals from Karim Benzema and Kylian Mbappe, before Milan’s Theo Hernandez scored his first goal for France to put them 3-2 up in the last remaining minutes.
Belgium put in a top performance in the first half with Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku showing their talents, causing problems for the France defense. Roberto Martinez’s side also held strong defensively to nullify the threat of Mbappe.
However, Didier Deschamps’ side came out a different team in the second half with an increased intensity to their play. After they took the confidence from their first goal, they continued to exert the pressure on a old and tiring Belgium defense.
Let’s take a look at the player ratings in what was a tremendous game from start to finish.
Belgium still haven't reached a final since 1980 ? pic.twitter.com/9gcPIGkzNm
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) October 7, 2021
Belgium
Thibaut Courtois – 6
Perhaps could have got a stronger hand to Hernandez’s winner but could not do much about the other two goals.
Toby Alderweireld – 6
Could have got closer to Benzema for his goal and struggled in the second half against France. Did well in the first half, however, and kept a good structure.
Jason Denayer – 6.5
Marginally better than Vertonghen and Alderweireld and was good with his distribution from the back but also should have closed Benzema down better for the first France goal. The Belgium defense did well in the first half but got caught out by the speed of Mbappe in the second.
Jan Vertonghen – 6
Won some aerial balls and made some good blocks. Pushed too high and got caught by the pace of Mbappe, struggling in the second half.
Timothy Castagne – 5.5
Failed to offer much going forward as he occupied the right wing-back role and struggled in defense.
Axel Witsel – 7
Completed the most passes in the match with 94 and also had a 96% pass accuracy. Won some tackles in midfield in what was a solid performance.
Youri Tielemans – 5.5
The Leicester City midfielder struggled today and gave away the penalty with a poor challenge on Griezmann. Was also dispossessed three times.
Yannick Carrasco – 7.5
Carrasco put in a very solid performance and opened the scoring for the Red Devils, cutting in from the left onto his right foot. Was a threat down the left flank for Belgium.
Kevin De Bruyne – 9
A fine performance by a world class player, picking up two assists in the first half and also creating the most chances in the match with seven. France gave Belgium too much time in the first half and De Bruyne was allowed to dictate play. Also had an effort saved by Lloris late on after a fine strike on the edge of the box.
Romelu Lukaku – 8
Lukaku delivered an impressive performance, using his strength and speed to cause France a host of problems in the first half. Took his goal brilliantly too, stepping over the ball that completely sold Lucas Hernandez, before firing the ball past Lloris. Thought he scored a late winner too but he was deemed offside following a VAR review.
Eden Hazard – 6
Not a great performance by Hazard here tonight and failed to get involved in the game too much before being subbed off in the 74th minute. Dispossessed four times throughout the match, the most by any player.
Substitutions
Hans Vanaken – N/A
Leandro Trossard – N/A
Michy Batshuayi – N/A
“Man of the match” ?@KMbappe pic.twitter.com/k2UdqI3c3i
— Equipe de France ⭐⭐ (@equipedefrance) October 7, 2021
France
Hugo Lloris – 7
Made a world class save to deny De Bruyne early on but was wrong footed for Carrasco’s opening goal. Made a couple of decent saves when called upon.
Jules Kounde – 8
A star performance by the young prospect, with his highlight of the match being a last ditch challenge to deny Hazard. 100% pass accuracy and battled strong throughout. One to keep an eye on.
Raphael Varane – 7
Solid performance at the back and was good with his distribution.
Lucas Hernandez – 7
Could have done better for Lukaku’s goal but it would have been hard to stop the powerful center-forward.
Benjamin Pavard – 6.5
Was a threat at times down the right flank but struggled defensively up against Carrasco.
Paul Pogba – 7
Created a few chances in the match but struggled in the midfield battle, losing the most duels in the match. Came close to scoring the winner after his free-kick struck the bar.
Adrien Rabiot – 6.5
Not the best of performances for the Juventus man and France’s midfield missed N’Golo Kante’s combativeness, particularly in the first half. Did not make too much of an impact before being subbed off in the 75th minutes.
Theo Hernandez – 7.5
Scored his first goal for France with a great strike to send Les Blues into the final. Was not involved too much but did a solid job in the rest of his all-round play.
Antoine Griezmann – 7.5
Was influential in the second half and lead the France come back well, particularly after winning the penalty before the equaliser. Created a couple of chances and could have got a goal himself but could not get a clean connection from an Mbappe cross.
Karim Benzema – 8
Was the most fouled player in the match and caused the Belgium defense problems, combining well with Mbappe, with good link-up play throughout. Took his goal brilliantly after some nifty footwork on the edge of the box.
Kylian Mbappe – 9.5
The young prodigy showed his world class ability tonight and was constantly involved, putting in a Man of the Match performance in Turin, as he lead the French comeback. His electrifying speed caused havoc for the old and tiring Belgium defense and he made no mistake from the spot this time to give France their equaliser. Also provided the assist for Benzema to claw a goal back. A truly phenomenal talent.