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Mbappe's controversial goal helps France come back to win Nations League

Soccrates Images / Getty Images Sport / Getty

France produced another second-half comeback to beat Spain and win the UEFA Nations League title on Sunday.

Karim Benzema's wonderful curling effort from the corner of the penalty area canceled out Mikel Oyarzabal's go-ahead goal in the 64th minute, and despite calls for offside, Kylian Mbappe's smooth finish clinched the 2-1 victory.

Les Bleus have now won seven major trophies - all in the last 40 years.

Didier Deschamps' side needed a spirited comeback in the Nations League semifinal just to reach Sunday's showpiece event in Milan. Benzema, Mbappe, and Theo Hernandez scored in the final 30 minutes to erase a 2-0 deficit in that game against Belgium.

And all three players figured into the goals on Sunday. Mbappe fed Benzema in the 68th minute, and the 33-year-old striker lofted the ball into the far corner.

Hernandez then set up Mbappe down the same left flank, springing the 22-year-old phenom with a defense-splitting pass that Spanish defender Eric Garcia tried to intercept. Mbappe collected the loose ball and showed immense composure to freeze and slot it past goalkeeper Unai Simon.

Spain immediately appealed for offside, and replays appeared to confirm Mbappe had drifted into an offside position as Hernandez released the ball.

However, referee Anthony Taylor confirmed the call upon review.

The International Football Association Board rules that a player can be considered onside if an opponent deliberately plays the ball. Mbappe may have therefore become onside when Garcia made a clear attempt to intercept the ball.

French 'keeper Hugo Lloris turned away Oyarzabal's volley in the 88th minute to preserve the win.

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