Spain vs France: Why was Kylian Mbappe's 'offside' winner in Nations League final allowed?

In a very closely contested match, France managed to defeat Spain 2-1 in UEFA Nations League final on Sunday at San Siro, in Milan. game saw a slow start with first hour being played out rar conservatively by both teams not taking many risks. But its dynamics changed in two minutes soon after. game was not without controversy though as many felt 80th-minute winner from Kylian Mbappe should have been offside.

France's wing-back o Hernandez played a through ball to Mbappe, who seemed to have mistimed his run as he was standing in an offside position when ball was played, and Spanish defender Eric Garcia tried to intercept ball but only got a slight touch to it before Mbappe latched on to ball as he went on and brilliantly finished. assistant referee did not raise his flag. When VAR was checking for a possible offside, replays showed that Mbappe was offside when pass was played, however, goal still stood.

Busquets not satisfied with ref's explanation

Social media was flooded with questions regarding controversial call. Spanish skipper Sergio Busquets said that explanation he got from referee did not make sense. Speaking to El Chiringuito TV, Busquets said:

"To us on field it ( second goal) looked offside. referee told us that since Eric tried to play ball, offside was cancelled, but that doesn’t make sense. He just tried to intercept ball, he didn’t play it and lose control of it."

According to Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp, it was not VAR's fault as rule has been around for 18 months. He said that Garcia's touch was slightest and that if assistant referee h raised his flag no one would have "asked any questions".

Spain vs France highlights 

first hour of game was more tactically slow, with both teams not trying to make any mistakes and risk anything. It felt as though both teams were trying to wait for or to make a mistake and n pounce on that. And that is exactly what happened in 64th minute when Mikel Oyarzabal was on end of a Busquets over top through ball.

Oyarzabal did superbly well to hold off Dayot Upamecano as he took ball to left of goal and finished with power and precision into bottom right side of goal. But France was not going to lay back as two minutes later, from kick-off, France looked to attack down left-hand side. Mbappe played a pass to Karim Benzema who was on left corner of penalty area. Real Mrid striker took one touch to right and unleashed a fantastic curling shot into top corner of net to level proceedings on night. In 80th minute, Mbappe scored winner and France were crowned UEFA Nations Cup winners for first time.

(Image:  AP/Sony Sports Network)