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 on Thursday.
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 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 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.
Gifted
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 Nicolo Cambiaghi drove to the byline and cut back a cross, which Esposito converted with a deft touch.
Francesco Pio Esposito of Italy celebrates after scoring his first goal. Alamy Stock Photo
Alamy Stock Photo
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 onto the post by Donnarumma.
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 Milan wing-back was brought off the bench.
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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 host Italy and Turkey travel to France in the final round of group games on Sunday.
Prague
Alex Baena scored from the spot and Marc Pubill added another seconds from time as Spain beat 10-man Czech Republic 2-0 in Prague.
The win 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 Czech midfielder Lukas Ambros had handled the ball inside the box.
Alex Baena scores his penalty kick for Spain. Alamy Stock Photo
Alamy Stock Photo
The Atlético Madrid winger blasted his spot kick past Matej Kovar, who touched the ball but failed to clear it.
Czech captain Ladislav Krejci was sent off in the 69th minute after bringing down second-half substitute Roberto Fernandez on a counter-attack.
It was a déjà vu for the Wolverhampton defender who also got a red card at the end of Spain’s 3-1 home win over the Czechs last month.
Pubill, another substitute, beat Kovar with a low shot deep into stoppage time after the Czech back four left him alone facing the Eindhoven goalkeeper.
Luis de la Fuentes missed Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo, Rodri and Eric Garcia over injuries while Mikel Oyarzabal was sidelined with flu for the Prague game.
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Italy fight back to deal Zidane first loss as France coach, Spain retain perfect 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 on Thursday.
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 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 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.
Gifted
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 Nicolo Cambiaghi drove to the byline and cut back a cross, which Esposito converted with a deft touch.
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 onto the post by Donnarumma.
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 Milan 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 host Italy and Turkey travel to France in the final round of group games on Sunday.
Prague
Alex Baena scored from the spot and Marc Pubill added another seconds from time as Spain beat 10-man Czech Republic 2-0 in Prague.
The win 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 Czech 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.
Czech captain Ladislav Krejci was sent off in the 69th minute after bringing down second-half substitute Roberto Fernandez on a counter-attack.
It was a déjà vu for the Wolverhampton defender who also got a red card at the end of Spain’s 3-1 home win over the Czechs last month.
Pubill, another substitute, beat Kovar with a low shot deep into stoppage time after the Czech back four left him alone facing the Eindhoven goalkeeper.
Luis de la Fuentes missed Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo, Rodri and Eric Garcia over injuries while Mikel Oyarzabal was sidelined with flu for the Prague game.
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