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Spain and France will battle it out at the iconic San Siro on Sunday for the 2021 UEFA Nations League title. The battle between the two European powerhouses could be a mouth-watering finale.
La Roja ousted reigning European champions Italy 2-1 in the first semi-final, thanks to Ferran Torres' heroics. They will now compete in their first tournament final since Euro 2012.
The next day, their neighbours France pulled off a stunning 3-2 comeback victory over Belgium, netting thrice in the second half to overcome a 2-0 deficit. Les Blues, the reigning world champions, are now just 90 minutes away from their second title in three years. They'll seek to erase the painful memories of their early exit from Euro 2020.
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Either way, it's going to be one Helluva showdown on Sunday, with so many top stars in both camps going head-to-head. There's no clear favourite, as both Spain and France were impressive in their victories on Thursday. Meanwhile, on the sidelines, Luis Enrique and Didier Deschamps will be engaged in an enticing tactical battle.
The two teams have clashed several times before. But on Sunday, it will be their first meeting since 2017, and arguably their most important one in recent history. Ahead of the much anticipated kick-off, here's how Spain and France would stack up in a hypothetical combined XI:
Goalkeeper: Unai Simon (Spain)
It's always difficult to choose between world-class options like Hugo Lloris and Unai Simon. But if their recent performances are anything to go by, the Spaniard gets the nod here. He was immense in goal for La Roja on Wednesday, frustrating Italy with a series of key saves.
Simon kept his composure when the European champions upped the ante after the break. He most notably denied Federico Bernardeschi with a vital block in the first half which denied the Azzurri from taking the lead in the match.
An excellent reader of the game with a commanding presence inside the area, the Athletic Bilbao custodian is strong in the air. He is tough to beat in one-on-one situations as well.
Against France's formidable attacking frontline featuring Karim Benzema, Kylian Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann, he could expect another busy outing. Spain will hope to see Simon muster every ounce of his goalkeeping nous to keep Les Bleus at bay.
Right-back: Cesar Azpilicueta (Spain)
Chelsea's talismanic captain is also an influential defender for Spain. His wealth of experience and wide-ranging talent is crucial in big games. He could be invaluable for them in the Nations League final against France on Sunday.
Consistency is Cesar Azpilicueta's biggest attribute, having delivered for club and country for many years now. He is right-back, but has also excelled in the centre-back role in a back three. The Spaniard, who has 33 international caps, passes the ball around well and covers his markers brilliantly.
Centre-back: Jules Kounde (France)
Jules Kounde has been the name on everyone's lips since he burst onto the scene with Sevilla in 2019. His performances helped the Andalusians finish inside the top four in both La Liga campaigns since then. That helped him earn his first call-up for France earlier this year.
A strong tackler with excellent passing range and vision, the 22-year-old is widely hailed as France's next big thing. Chelsea are looking to sign him next year, so it won't be surprising if a few other clubs join the race for his signature by then.
Centre-back: Aymeric Laporte (Spain)
His place at Manchester City had come under threat after John Stones' renaissance last season after he was injured. But Aymeric Laporte has come onto his own this season, while also remaining a key figure in the La Roja squad.
Laporte certainly reestablished that perception with a resolute performance in defence against Italy in the semi-final. He also completed 96% of his passes, and looked to get his side forward with six accurate long balls as well.
Left-back: Theo Hernandez (France)
Theo Hernandez's rise to stardom at AC Milan has been meteoric, and he's now replicating that form on the international stage too. The full-back even opened his account for Les Blues against Belgium with a sublime winner in stoppage time that completed France's comeback.
An exceptionally creative player with an eye for goal, Hernandez can be a menace if given the time and space to run down the left flank. His speed on the ball makes him dangerous on the break, and he makes excellent crosses into the box too.
Right Midfielder: Ferran Torres (Spain)
His natural position is further ahead, but due to competition for places, Ferran Torres has been slotted here in this hypothetical lineup. After all, dropping him from the XI isn't an option either, as the Manchester City star's heroics against Italy demonstrated his potential.
He scored two fine goals in the first half of Spain's semi-final, which eventually was enough to knock out the European champions. Torres also deserves credit for his positional awareness and anticipation, expertly getting in behind the Italian defence and dispatching the incoming crosses with precision.
Defensive Midfielder: Paul Pogba (France)
Much of France's attacking plays flow through Paul Pogba, their chief orchestrator and a deep-lying playmaker. He can create a chance out of nowhere with sublime lofting crosses in and around the area, and possesses a keen eye for goal too.
Known for his explosive playing style and energy on the pitch, the Manchester United star combines finesse, technique and flair. He's dominant in the air, and holds up the ball excellently too.
Left Midfielder: Mikel Oyarzabal (Spain)
Mikel Oyarzabal also excels when playing in a more advanced role, or perhaps as an attacking midfielder. But he finds a place in this hypothetical XI, but not in his usual playing position, though. And much like Torres, Oyarzabal deserves a place in this XI.
The Real Sociedad star was the creative inspiration behind Spain's win over Italy, setting up both of Torres' goals with two fine crosses. He'll be expected to produce more of the same on Sunday as Spain seek their first piece of silverware in almost a decade.
Attacking Midfielder: Antoine Greizmann (France)
Regardless of his form for club, Antoine Griezmann has always made it a point to deliver for Les Blues. With 41 international goals, he's closing in on Thierry Henry's all-time record (51) and about to become the latest Frenchman to reach 100 caps.
Although he failed to find the back of the net against Belgium, the Atletico Madrid ace helped win the penalty which Mbappe dispatched to bring France level. Given how valuable he is in building up attacks, Spain must be aware of his threat and keep a keen eye on him.
Striker: Karim Benzema (France)
Benzema has been on fire for France since returning from his international exile earlier this year. He was their highest scorer at Euro 2020 with four goals and bagged a key strike on Thursday, which triggered their unlikely comeback.
Despite possessing a host of stars in the squad, it won't be too much of a stretch to say the Real Madrid star is their most valuable player right now. He's among the first names on their teamsheet.
With a start in the final guaranteed, Benzema, who has 32 goals for France, will be tasked with producing the goods once more. It's also a good opportunity for him to finally get one over Spain, having never scored in five previous appearances against them.
Striker: Kylian Mbappe (France)
Kylian Mbappe was going through a rough patch lately. A barren run on the field and reports of tension with his club's board in the wake of transfer rumours to Real Madrid have left the PSG star a bit rattled.
But he cut himself some slack with a key penalty goal on Thursday, which brought Les Blues level in the match and cancelled Belgium's lead. It also went some way towards him atoning for his costly miss at Euro 2020, which knocked his side out in the last 16.
The 22-year-old has thereby regained his confidence. He'll now hope to get a few more strikes in the final as France are looking to make up for their disappointing European campaign to win more silverware.
On the bench: Hugo Lloris, Benjamin Pavard, Raphael Varane, Koke, Rodri, Gavi, Wissam Ben Yedder.
