UEFA Nations League Final 2021: Spain 1-2 France Player Ratings

France beat Spain 2-1 in the Nations League final, thanks to goals from Kylian Mbappe and Karim Benzema to give France their first-ever Nations League trophy. Hence, Sportco delivers the player ratings for the game between Spain and France.

Spain dominated the game till 90 minutes, and opened the scoring through Mikel Oyarzabal, after a sumptuous long ball from Sergio Busquets and Mikal Oyarzabal who held firm and managed to find the bottom corner with an accurate finish. 

France replied back instantly, as Benzema scored one of the best goals of the tournament with a curling finish into the top corner as helpless Simon couldn’t get his hands on the ball. 

With ten minutes remaining France found the back of the net through Mbappe after Hernandez's pass, which could have been offside but Eric Garcia's touch on the ball put gave Mbappe a chance as he threw a stepover and slotted the ball home.  

Spain produced few great chances but failed to equalize as France held on to win the Nations League. 

Spain vs France Player Ratings

Spain Player Ratings

Unai Simon: Simon didn’t have much work to do in the first half but was constantly tested by France’s players in the second half and also read the through ball perfectly to deny Mbappe, But couldn’t deny Benzema’s power striker and Mbappe’s last gap winner. 

Sportco rates Unai Simon: 7/10

Cesar Azpilicueta: Was solid as a right-back and kept Mbappe quiet most of the time, made greats runs but was unable to influence things going forward.

Sportco rates Cesar Azpilicueta: 6/10

Aymeric Laporte: Played with aplomb and made excellent tackles to prevent France from scoring.

Sportco rates Aymeric Laporte: 8/10

Marcos Alonso: Alonso was a threat for France when going forward and kept testing Hugo Lloris with his pinpoint crosses, made a Crucial challenge to deny Mbappe early in the second half.

Sportco rates Marcos Alonso: 8/10

Gavi: Gavi played very aggressively making unnecessary tackles and also escaped a yellow card, overall decent performance. 

Sportco rates Gavi: 6/10

Sergio Busquets: Always delivers when needed the most, played very attractive football with his twist and turns, provided a fine assist as he clipped a fine long ball to Oyarzabal. 

Sportco rates Busquets: 8.5/10

Rodri: Wasn’t seen in the game, but kept France counter-attacks at bay

Sportco rates Rodri: 7/10

Ferran Torres: Was a threat to Kimpembe, and did great dribbles but no result from out wide in the first half. 

Sports rates Ferran Torres: 6/10

Mikel Oyarzabal: Oyarzabal was barely seen in the first half, but went strength-to-strength against Upamecano before finding the breakthrough. 

Sportco rates: Oyarzabal 8.5/10

Pablo Sarabia: Wasn’t seen in the game and was very poor with his delivery, Kounde got better of him.  

Sportco rates Sarabia: 5/10 

Substitutes: Yeremi Pino 6/10, Koke 4/10, Mikel Merino 4/10, Pablo Fornals 4/10 

France Players Ratings

Hugo Lloris: After conceding the goal he redeemed himself as he made two crucial saves to keep France ahead. 

Sportco rates Lloris 8/10

Jules Kounde: His pace helped reach the ball before opponents and also escaped a Var penalty check as the ball hit his hands in the box, and almost gave a goal away after giving the ball away to Sarabia deep in his own half. Booked.

Sportco rates Kounde: 5/10  

Raphael Varane: Was taken off in the first half after getting a knock on his thigh. However, Varane was able to add another trophy to his stellar cabinet of trophies.

Sportco rates Varane: 5/10 

Presnel Kimpembe: His great decision-making made him won plenty of aerial duels, and sliding tackles were always on point. 

Sportco rates Kimpembe: 8/10 

Benjamin Pavard: Pavard was struggling to play as a wing-back and couldn’t offer much from his side. Subbed off. 

Sportco rates Pavard: 5/10 

Aurelien Tchouameni: Provided Benzema's wonderful pass, and also handled the tone of the game, formed a great tandem with Pogba. 

Sportco rates Tchouameni: 7/10 

Paul Pogba: Pogba was excellent, created space for the players, and exploited Spain’s defense with his long balls. Kept France on the front, also showed great strength against the opponent.

Sportco rates Pogba: 8/10 

Theo Hernandez: He was great on the ball and kept running from end to end, almost scored the opener, but got an assist. 

Sportco rates Hernandez: 8/10 

Antoine Griezmann: Was not seen on the ball, and failed to make his influence on the game. 

Sportco rates Griezmann: 6/10 

Karim Benzema: kept the ground running with his pressing up-front and scored a beautiful equalizer to bring France back in the game. 

Sportco rates Benzema: 8/10 

Kylian Mbappe: Failed to make any difference upfront and was kept quiet by Spain’s defenders, was lucky to escape the offside and got his name on the scoresheet.

Sportco rates Mbappe: 7/10  

Substitute: Dayot Upamecano 6/10, Leo Dubois 6/10  

Do you agree with our player ratings for the match between Spain vs France? Which player should have received a better rating according to you?