Mbapp inspires comeback as France beats Belgium 3-2

Turin, Oct 08 (AP): Kylian Mbapp redeemed himself with a goal and an assist as France came from two goals down to beat Belgium 3-2 and reach the Nations League final.
Theo Hern ndez scored the last-minute winner to complete the comeback and send world champion France through to Sunday’s final against Spain. It was only his second appearance for his country and came the day after his 24th birthday.
Two quickfire goals at the end of the first half had given Belgium a seemingly comfortable lead but Mbapp , who became the youngest player to reach 50 caps for Les Bleus, set up Karim Benzema’s goal in the 62nd minute and converted a penalty seven minutes later.
“To be capable of doing what we did, and you shouldn’t forget the team we did it to, the top-ranked team in the world at the moment, it’s fantastic what the team of France managed to do,” coach Didier Deschamps said.
“I don’t think there were many people who thought we could at halftime. All credit to the players. The pride and character that they showed, added to the quality, ensured we did it.”
The 22-year-old Mbapp was made somewhat of a scapegoat for France’s failure at the European Championship after missing the decisive penalty in the shootout in France’s loss to Switzerland in the round of 16.
“I never doubted Kylian. I always showed him that I was with him, behind him,” Deschamps said. “I know very well that the France team is stronger with him.”
For Belgium it was another disappointing failure for a team that has entered the past few major tournaments as one of the big favorites but hasn’t reached a big final since Euro 1980.