Enlarge image
Karim Benzema scored to equalize, Kylian Mbappe scored the winning goal
Photo: FRANCK FIFE / AFP
Thanks to Kylian Mbappé, France also triumphed in the Nations League for the first time a good three years after the World Cup.
The star ensemble of coach Didier Deschamps prevailed in the final with 2: 1 (0: 0) against Germany conquerors Spain and crowned themselves as successors to the premier winner Portugal.
Mbappé scored the celebrated winning goal for the Equipe Tricolore in the 80th minute in Milan's San Siro on Sunday evening, which at least made them forget their weak European football championship a little.
In the summer of the last sixteen against Switzerland, the dream of another title had already burst.
The Spaniards, on the other hand, are still waiting for their first trophy since winning the European Championship in 2012. Mikel Oyarzabal (64th minute) brought coach Luis Enrique's team into the lead after winning a duel with substitute Bayern defender Dayot Upamecano, Karim Benzema was just two minutes later with a fine fluff.
More speed in the second half
Instead of such great offensive moments as in the high-class semi-finals, the game had been shaped tactically for a long time.
Again and again the urge to attack was stopped by fouls.
After a pass from Paul Pogba, Benzema turned around the Spanish goalkeeper Simon in the sixth minute - but César Azpilicueta was able to save before Mbappé in the middle.
With the usual ball possession style with a high accuracy of pass, Spain dominated the game after the initial phase, but just as rarely came dangerously in front of the goal.
With a weak shot from Pablo Sarabia, France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris had no problems (12th).
The defense of the world champion was secure, from the defensive trio of FC Bayern only Benjamin Pavard made it into the starting line-up.
His Munich team-mate Lucas Hernández had to sit on the bench after beating Belgium 3-2 in the semifinals, and Upamecano also sat outside.
The ex-Leipzig moved to the center shortly before the break when defense chief Raphael Varane left the field injured.
With the Spaniards, who were also plagued by abuses, Ferran Torres got fit in time.
The offensive player from Manchester City had scored both goals in the 2-1 semi-finals over European champions Italy, but had to be substituted off.
In the 6: 0 in the decisive preliminary round match of the Nations League against Germany, Torres had been successful three times - but remained against France without the very big accents.
Both teams started the second half at a much faster pace.
At first the precision was still missing, but then the hoped-for spectacular exchange of blows developed.
First, France's Theo Hernández hit only the bottom edge of the crossbar from six meters, the ball jumped in front of the goal line.
In direct return, Oyarzabal went into a direct duel with Upamecano after Sergio Busquets' steep pass and did not make the Bayern professional look good before the successful conclusion.
But a little later Benzema flicked the ball from 15 meters over Unai Simon to equalize.
In Mbappé's winning goal, the Spaniards protested about alleged offside position, but the English referee Anthony Taylor gave the goal after verification.
Shortly before the end, Lloris saved the victory with several saves.
mkl / dpa