Last night, Spain took revenge on Italy in the first semi-final of the UEFA Nations League. Luis Enrique’s team were defeated by the EURO 2020 champions in the semi-final of the summer tournament but it went other way around on Wednesday evening when two teams met.In the second semi-final of the Nations League, FIFA’s top ranked team of Belgium were minutes and centimeters away from defeating World Cup winners France in Turin. However, final score was 2-3 as Les Blues turned it fully around.During the 2018 tournament in Russia, France eliminated Belgium in the semi-finals and this ‘golden generation’ of Belgium wanted retaliation for the loss years ago.Barca boy Gavi enters history books as he helps Spain to a Nations League semi-final win over ItalyIn what was an even match with abundance of skills, promising shots and breath-stopping moments were on display from the very start.In the 3rd minute already, Kevin de Bruyne had a massive chance but Hugo Lloris made a sensational save.The ball kept going from one box to the other with tons of individual quality visible.In the 37th minute the scoreboard changed as Belgium took the lead. Yannick Carrasco neatly controlled a decent pass from de Bruyne, looked up and sent a clever low shot into the bottom left corner from the edge of the box.And just three minutes later the Red Devils doubled the lead. De Bruyne teed up Romelu Lukaku inside the box and Chelsea’s striker slammed the ball into the roof of the net and past Lloris.It was Lukaku’s 68th goal for the national team in his 101st appearance – but what is astounding is that this was his 51st goal in his last 51 matches!Both teams went to the half-time break in completely different moods. However, the second half gave us the French we wanted to see in the first half. Les Bleus came out from the dressing rooms eager to score as soon as possible. And after a couple of promising chances, they got what they wanted in the 62nd minute.Kylian Mbappe set up Karim Benzema for a shot on the edge of the box. Benzema did not connect with the ball the way he wanted but the ball somehow found its way into the bottom right corner.And in a similar manner as the Belgians – the French quickly scored their second. Youri Tielemans fouled Antoine Griezmann in the box, causing a penalty. Mbappe took the ball and converted the penalty into an equalizer. It was a rocket of a shot. Completely different from what he tried at the EUROs when his team were eliminated due to his poor attempt from the spot.After the penalty, it was opportunity after opportunity, for both teams. Fatigue was evident but players did not give in.De Bruyne tried in the 74th minute, Griezmann was blocked in the 77th, Monaco’s Aurelien Tchouameni also tried moments later but Thibaut Courtois pulled off a fantastic reflex save.In the 86th minute, Mbappe had a chance to score his second but his shot went just wide of the left post. Minutes after Lukaku had a goal disallowed due to offside, followed by a free-kick post-rattler from Pogba.The decisive moment happened soon after. The ball rebounded and arrived at the feet of Theo Hernandez just outside the box. He didn’t think twice and fired a brilliant shot inside the right post. The projectile of a shot was beyond the reach of Courtois.The incredible generation of Belgian footballers flopped on their trophy mission again. Their last chance together will probably be the Qatar World Cup next year.And as for the French – Sunday evening when they face Spain in the Nations League showpiece could heal the wounds of the early elimination from the EURO 2020 when they were clear favourites but were knocked out by Switzerland on penalties.Great football tonight in Turin. Let’s just hope the Sunday match will be as exciting.UEFA NATIONS LEAGUESemi-finalWednesdayItaly – Spain 1-2 (0-2)/Pellegrini 83 – Torres 17, 45+2/ThursdayBelgium – France 2-3 (2-0)/Carrasco 37, Lukaku 40 – Benzema 62, Mbappe 69 pen, Hernandez 90/
