We never give up: Benzema

Kylian Mbappe fired France to Nations League glory on Sunday after netting the winner which completed a comeback from a goal down to beat Spain 21 in MilanMbappe struck with 10 minutes remaining to win the title for world champions France after Karim Benzema had levelled just two minutes after Mikel Oyarzabal put Spain into a 64thminute lead The win will ease some of the pain created by an early exit from Euro 2020 at the hands of Switzerland and highlighted just how powerful France are going forward ldquoI really wanted to win a trophy with France and now itrsquos donerdquo said Benzema who returned the France fold ahead of the Euro to M6ldquoWe showed strength of character because this team is very strong never gives up and we have proven it today It is the sign of a great team not to panic to be patient and to wait for the right opportunityrdquoKarim Benzema left and Kylian Mbappe after a goal PicAFPMbappe scores winnerLes Bleus came out on top of a match at the San Siro which came to life after Oyarzabal slid home the opener As well as the two goals from their superstar attackers France had other opportunities to score through Mbappe before a frantic finish in which Spain launched an assault on the French goal Didier Deschamps can thank Hugo Lloris the match didnrsquot go into extratime after the France captain pulled off a fine stoppage time save to deny Yeremi Pino a late levellerEarlier Italy took third place after beating Belgium 21 in Turin through goals form Nicolo Barella and Domenico Berardi France started the strongest and should have been ahead with five minutes on the clock when Benzema was put through perfectly by Paul Pogba The Real Madrid striker tried to dribble around Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon but went too far wide and ended up aimlessly hitting a low pass across goal which was easily cut out by Cesar Azpilicueta Two minutes later a lightning passing move led to Aymeric Laporte playing against the country of his birth for the first time since obtaining Spanish nationality cutting out a low crosslsquoKarim is a crucial playerrsquoDeschamps heaped praise on Benzema ldquoKarim is a crucial player and he has proved over two matches that he has very obvious talent itrsquos there for all to seerdquo Deschamps told reporters ldquoHe has improved in different areas hersquos clinical he plays his part in the builduprdquo he addedEnrique proud of Spain despite defeatMilan Luis Enrique said on Sunday that he was happy with his Spain side despite them coming up short to lose 12 to France The defeat came after a strong performance which could easily have been rewarded by taking the match to extratime ldquoI know that we were able to win against European champions and play even with the world champions so for players and the team that is all good The important thing is that the team maintains its personality and will to winrdquo Enrique saidThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliabilitsy and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the contents in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever