Italy fight back to deal Zidane’s first loss as France coach
Francesco Pio Esposito struck twice as Italy stormed back to win 3-1 at San Siro and go top of their Nations League group on Thursday.
MILAN: Francesco Pio Esposito marked his return by striking twice, ending Zinedine Zidane's first loss as France's head coach as Italy secured a 3-1 victory over France in the Nations League at San Siro. The Italian side took the lead in the 10th minute when Michael Olise capitalized on an error from goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Inter Milan striker Francesco Pio Esposito doubled the lead in the 26th minute with a deft touch from a cross. France suffered two near misses, hitting the post twice before the break, with Bradley Barcola coming closest to a third goal with a curling shot that struck the foot of the far post. After the break, Davide Frattesi added a third goal for Italy with a well-struck shot after Federico Dimarco's cross.
France was denied twice by the woodwork. The result sees Italy top Group A1 with 10 points, leveling with France on points but above them on head-to-head record. Belgium is third with nine points after a fifth straight defeat on Turkey. Despite missing key players Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele, France made an electric start against the rain-soaked Milan crowd.
France's first captain, Adrien Rabiot, tested Donnarumma early on, and Lucas Da Cunha's half-volley narrowly missed the target. The Azzurri extended their unbeaten run to four matches under Roberto Mancini's second spell as Italy's coach and claimed their first home win over France since 1962.
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