Italy fight back to beat France 3-1 and move top of Nations League group

What the report says

Italy came from behind to beat France 3-1 at San Siro in Milan on Thursday, moving to the top of their Nations League group on goal difference and head-to-head record, according to Al Jazeera’s report based on AFP and Reuters. Michael Olise put France ahead early after capitalizing on a mistake by Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, but Italy responded before halftime through Francesco Pio Esposito.

The second half brought more drama. Davide Frattesi put Italy in front after coming off the bench, and Pio Esposito later added a second from the penalty spot after another foul in the box. France, managed by Zinedine Zidane, hit the woodwork twice and had started brightly despite being without Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele because of injury. Al Jazeera noted that the match was played in heavy rain and featured chances at both ends throughout.

The result gave Italy 10 points and extended their unbeaten run to four matches. It also marked what Al Jazeera described as France’s first defeat under Zidane and Italy’s first home win over France since 1962. Belgium remain in contention in the group ahead of the final round of fixtures on Sunday, when Belgium host Italy and France visit Turkiye.