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

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In short

France seized an early lead after Michael Olise capitalized on a Gianluigi Donnarumma mistake, but Francesco Pio Esposito quickly leveled before Davide Frattesi netted in the second half. Francesco Pio later secured the win with a penalty earned by Antonio Vergara, making amends for his brother Sebastiano Esposito's earlier missed spot-kick. The victory leaves Italy topping Group A1 on their head-to-head record over France. Meanwhile at Wembley, England secured qualification for the quarter-finals by edging Croatia 2-1.

Key points

  • Italy now leads Group A1 over France via their head-to-head tiebreaker with both teams le…: Italy now leads Group A1 over France via their head-to-head tiebreaker with both teams level on 10 points.
  • The outcome handed Zinedine Zidane his very first defeat since taking over as France's he…: The outcome handed Zinedine Zidane his very first defeat since taking over as France's head coach.
  • The Azzurri secured their first home victory against the French national team since 1962…: The Azzurri secured their first home victory against the French national team since 1962 under Roberto Mancini.

Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1

Michael Olise gives France the lead, but double from Pio Esposito and one from Davide Frattesi secures win for Italy.

Francesco Pio Esposito struck twice to inflict a first defeat on Zinedine Zidane as France’s head coach, while Italy stormed back to win 3-1 at San Siro and top their Nations League group.

Michael Olise profited from a Gianluigi Donnarumma error to put the visitors in front after 10 minutes on Thursday, but Italy hit back through Esposito and Davide Frattesi either side of half-time.

Inter Milan striker Esposito’s second came from the penalty spot after his brother Sebastiano had earlier fired a spot kick wide, while France were twice denied by the woodwork in an entertaining encounter.

The result sent Italy top of Group A1 on 10 points, level with France but above them on head-to-head record, while Belgium are third on nine points after inflicting a fifth straight defeat on rock-bottom Turkiye.

France were without star attackers Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele through injury, but it did not show as they made an electric start in pouring rain…

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