Didier Deschamps’ France will face Luis Enrique’s Spain in one of the most attractive matches in the UEFA Nations League final. Unlike Italy, the Gauls did not fail and asserted their status as current world champions to turn the electronic game around (2-3) against Belgium and they will play the title against a team that has not been particularly good at it in recent years.
The Spaniards, who they completed one of the best matches of the Luis Enrique era in the semifinals against the current European champion, They have only signed one defeat in their last seven direct meetings against the French team: they have five victories and a draw. The Spanish team has won three international friendlies, one in the European Cup and others in the World Cup.
1 – The @Football have only lost one of their last seven matches to #France (5V 1E) after winning only once of the previous 10 against them in all competitions (2E 7D). Final.#UEFANationsLeague #Spain
– OptaJose (@OptaJose) October 7, 2021
Until then, Spain had only been able to win once in the previous 10 head-to-head matches, in an international friendly in 2001.. The most memorable recent precedent is undoubtedly that of the quarterfinals of Euro 2012: they won 2-0 with two goals from Alonso on their way to the final, where they beat Italy (4-0) to conquer the third Eurocup and the second in a row.
The first UEFA Nations League title, a goal
Both France and Spain are seeking the first UEFA Nations League title in what is the second edition of the new tournament. In the final next Sunday (8:45 pm / TVE 1) one of the two combined will unseat Portugal as current champion and will enter the history of the tournament: France is slightly favorite, but the great level of Luis Enrique’s men in the semifinals present an even duel.
France, except for surprise, will come out with their best eleven and the powerful trident formed by Kylian Mbappé, Karim Benzema and Antoine Griezmann, while Spain has many more casualties. Without important figures like Dani Olmo, Pedri or Jordi Alba, the possible absence of Ferran Torres, who suffers a severe blow to the foot, could condition Luis Enrique’s starting scheme.