Loss is Zinedine Zidane’s first as France head coach
Spain beat Czechia 2-0 to maintain 100% record
Francesco Pio Esposito struck twice to inflict a first defeat on Zinedine Zidane as France head coach as Italy stormed back to win 3-1 at San Siro and go top of their Nations League group.
Michael Olise profited on a Gianluigi Donnarumma error to put the visitors in front after 10 minutes, but Italy hit back through Esposito and Davide Frattesi either side of half-time.
Inter 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 Turkey.
France were without star attackers Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé through injury, but it didn’t show as they made an electric start under pouring rain in Milan.
Désiré Doué hit the side netting and first-time captain Adrien Rabiot tested Donnarumma before Lucas Da Cunha’s rasping half-volley flew narrowly wide.
However, the opener was gifted to France when Donnarumma passed the ball straight to Olise, who skipped past a defender before firing home his fifth goal in five Nations League games – a record only bettered by England captain Harry Kane’s seven.
The hosts struck back in the 26th minute with their first chance of the game when Nicolò Cambiaghi drove to the byline and cut back a cross, which Esposito converted with a deft touch.
The goal brought San Siro to life as the older Esposito sibling, Sebastiano, threatened a quickfire comeback two minutes later when he forced a sharp save from Mike Maignan.
Bradley Barcola came closest to a third goal before the break with a curling shot from the edge of the box that struck the foot of the far post.
The end-to-end nature of the game continued in the second half as Rayan Cherki’s rasping strike was tipped on to the post by Donnarumma before Italy charged up the other end and forced Maignan into a point-blank save from Cambiaghi.
Italy had a glorious chance to go in front when Cambiaghi was tripped by Malo Gusto to earn a penalty, but Sebastiano Esposito failed to join his brother on the scoresheet as he hammered his spot kick wide on the hour mark.
The Azzurri did not dwell on the disappointment for long, taking the lead just three minutes later when Frattesi drilled in a shot from a Federico Dimarco cross moments after the Inter wing-back was brought off the bench.
Fellow substitute Antonio Vergara earned the home side another penalty when he was tripped by Dayot Upamecano, and this time Francesco Pio Esposito stepped up to drill a shot into the bottom corner.
The result continued a strong start to Roberto Mancini’s second spell as Italy coach as his side stretched their unbeaten run to four matches and notched their first home win over France since 1962.
Belgium are third after Kevin De Bruyne scored in their 2-1 triumph in Turkey.
During a goal-frenzied first half at Gursel Aksel Stadium, Arda Güler put Turkey ahead with a stunning free-kick from 25 yards out before De Bruyne levelled seven minutes after a cutback from Jérémy Doku, and Charles De Ketelaere firing in after Diego Moreira’s shot was saved to earn Belgium all three points.
Belgium host Italy and Turkey travel to France in the final round of group games on Sunday.
Álex Baena scored from the spot and Marc Pubill added another seconds from time as Spain beat 10-man Czechia 2-0 in Group A3. The win in Prague leaves Spain unbeaten in 44 competitive games in a row, including five wins in as many Nations League games this season.
Spain, who already secured a quarter-final berth before travelling to Prague, will face England in Madrid on Sunday in their final Group A3 game.
Baena scored on 39 minutes after a VAR check revealed Czechia midfielder Lukas Ambros had handled the ball inside the box. The Atlético Madrid winger blasted his spot-kick past Matej Kovar who touched the ball but failed to clear it.
Home captain Ladislav Krejci was sent off in the 69th minute after bringing down second-half substitute Roberto Fernández on a counterattack.
Pubill, another substitute, beat Kovar with a low shot deep into stoppage time after the Czechia back four left him alone facing the Eindhoven goalkeeper.
Luis de la Fuentes missed Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo, Rodri and Eric García with injuries while Mikel Oyarzabal was sidelined with flu.
Fabián Ruiz hit the post with a curling right-footer three minutes from half-time, while Dean Huijsen’s header found Kovar’s arms.
Yéremy Pino, replacing Yamal on the right flank, saw his goal overturned by VAR for offside just two minutes into the second half.
Czechia showed higher spirits after the break, but David Zima put an effort over on 50 minutes and Adam Hlozek’s glancing header landed on the top of the crossbar.
The hosts lost momentum after the red card, but Baena had two efforts cleared by Kovar who also denied Fernández from close range.
The hosts, led by De la Fuente’s long-time collaborator Santi Denia, have lost all their Nations League games this season. They are next travelling to Croatia for a game they need to win to stay in the top tier of the competititon for the next edition.
