Belgium 2 France 3: Hernandez’s last-gasp winner completes stunning turnaround to set up Nations League final with Spain

FRANCE produced a stunning comeback to reach the Nations League final. World No 1 side Belgium blew a 2-0 half time lead after quick-fire strikes from Yannick Carrasco and Romelu Lukaku. Karim Benzema grabbed one back in the 62nd minute before Kylian Mbappe’s penalty seven minutes later levelled the scores. And after Lukaku had an […]

FRANCE produced a stunning comeback to reach the Nations League final.

World No 1 side Belgium blew a 2-0 half time lead after quick-fire strikes from Yannick Carrasco and Romelu Lukaku.

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Karim Benzema hails Theo Hernandez for his late glory as France set up a final with Spain after a barnstorming comeback win over Belgium[/caption]

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AC Milan left-back Theo Hernandez fires France into the final in the last minute[/caption]

Karim Benzema grabbed one back in the 62nd minute before Kylian Mbappe’s penalty seven minutes later levelled the scores.

And after Lukaku had an 87th minute tap-in ruled out by VAR for offside, Theo Hernandez struck in injury time to set-up a dramatic final against Spain at the San Siro on Sunday.

Belgium should have been ahead in the opening three minutes but for a stunning reflex save from Hugo Lloris to deny Kevin de Bruyne from six yards.

But the French found themselves 2-0 down in three minutes heading into the break.

Carrasco was fed the ball down the left by De Bruyne before cutting inside and fooling Lloris with a disguised effort that crept in at the near post in the 37th minute.

And three minutes later Lloris had troubles at his near post once more as Lukaku rolled Lucas Hernandez and thumped one into the roof of the net from an impossible angle.

Belgium were in total control and France were in danger of seeing the game drift away before they came to life past the hour to triumph in a classic.

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Reuters

Karim Benzema rifles France back into it in dramatic fashion after 62 minutes[/caption]

AP

Romelu Lukaku has a crucial late goal for Belgium ruled out[/caption]

The previous night Spain had ended Italy’s world-record 37-game run in the other semi-final.

Manchester City winger Ferran Torres hit a fine first-half double, ether side of Italy defender Leonardo Bonucci’s red card for two bookings.

Lorenzo Pellegrini replied in vain late on for the European champions.

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Belgium wideman Yannick Carrasco roars with delight after his self-made opener[/caption]

Reuters

Romelu Lukaku celebrates completing Belgium’s quickfire double near the end of the first half[/caption]

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Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku slots Belgium 2-0 up after 40 minutes[/caption]

EPA

Yannick Carrasco clips a 37th minute opener for Roberto Martinez’s Belgium[/caption]