Huijsen’s Spain beat Mbappé’s France to reach UEFA Nations League final

The Frenchman scored from the penalty spot for the losing team

Dean Huijsen, wearing the Spain jersey as a Real Madrid player for the first time, booked a place in the UEFA Nations League final with his compatriots as La Roja edged past France in a thrilling 5-4 victory in Stuttgart on Thursday night.

Real Madrid’s summer signing started in central defence, with coach Luis de la Fuente favouring the former Bournemouth man over Barcelona’s Pau Cubarsi. His role was to mark his new team-mate, Kylian Mbappé as he started alongside Atlético Madrid’s Robin Le Normand, later being joined by Athletic Club’s Dani Vivian.

The Dutch-born defender impressed, particularly on the ball, with 58 completed passes being more than anyone else on the field. That gave him an 88% completion rate, including five passes into France’s defensive third.

In fact, he even had a goal ruled out due to an offside in the build-up. Martin Zubimendi was millimetres offside by the shoulder as he cut back to the defender, who volleyed the ball into the back of the net acrobatically for what would have been an incredible first goal for his adopted country.

Defensively, he recovered possession six times and won his only tackle of the evening as he looked assured. His three interceptions and three blocks added to what was a comfortable night for the most part, despite the late collapse.

Spain will now take on Portugal in the UEFA Nations League final in Munich on Sunday evening for the trophy.

Photo by Pau Barrena – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images

Mbappé on the scoresheet

In white, Kylian Mbappé started leading the line wearing the number 10 jersey and, after a slow start for the first hour, came to life as France looked to mount a comeback. He forced a penalty as he cut inside Pedro Porro and referee Michael Oliver pointed to the spot, with Mbappé sending Spain goalkeeper Unai Simón the wrong way.

Mbappé then claimed an assist for a five-yard pass before an impressive second goal from imminent Manchester City signing Rayan Cherki, and he then placed pressure on Dani Vivian to turn the ball into his own net to make the scoreline 5-3 with seven minutes left on the clock.

Aurélien Tchouameni was left on the bench for the French, with Marseille’s Adrien Rabiot and Roma’s Kouadio Koné starting in the double pivot for Didier Deschamps’ side.

France will now take on Germany on Sunday in Stuttgart again as they seek the third-place trophy in the UEFA Nations League.