Italy 3-1 France: Report, result and goals as Esposito scores twice to stun Zidane’s side in Nations League

UEFA Nations League,
League A – 5

Italy
ITA

France
FROM

San Siro/Giuseppe Meazza

Istvan Kovacs

Pio Esposito 26′
Sebastiano Esposito 60′ (Pen)
Davide Frattesi 63′
Pio Esposito 75′ (Pen)

Michael Olise 10′

Francesco Pio Esposito scored two goals Italy came from behind to win franke 3-1 at San Siro and go top of their Nations League group.

Michael Olise gave Zinedine Zidane’s men an early lead after a mistake by Gianluigi Donnarumma, but Esposito equalized before Davide Frattesi put the home side ahead in the second half.

The Inter Milan striker then converted a penalty to seal an important win for Roberto Mancini’s side ahead of Sunday’s meeting with Belgium.

France started strongly and almost took the lead when Desire Doue fired into the side-netting before Adrien Rabiot forced Donnarumma into an excellent save.

Olise finally broke the deadlock in the 10th minute, capitalizing on Donnarumma’s errant pass before heading into the penalty area and finishing under the keeper.

Italy responded in the 26th minute when Nicolo Cambiaghi beat Malo Gusto down the left and curled in a cross for Esposito to head home from close range.

Bradley Barcola hit the post as France threatened to regain their lead before the break.

The second half brought more drama when Sebastiano Esposito missed a penalty in the 60th minute after Cambiaghi was fouled by Gusto.

However, Italy took the lead just three minutes later.

Federico Dimarco, introduced moments earlier, drilled a low cross into the penalty area for Frattesi to finish from close range.

The home side were awarded another penalty in the 74th minute when Dayot Upamecano brought down Antonio Vergara in the area.

This time, Pio Esposito stepped forward and made no mistake, driving his effort into the bottom corner despite Mike Maignan jumping the right way.

Olise went close with a late free-kick, but France could not find an answer.

The UEFA Nations League table

Next matches of Italy and France