Italy 3-1 France: Esposito double deals Zidane first defeat

Francesco Pio Esposito scored in both halves to help Italy come from behind and beat France 3-1 in the Nations League, as Zinedine Zidane suffered his first defeat in charge.

Michael Olise gave France an early lead, but Francesco Pio Esposito scored on either side of Davide Frattesi's effort to send Italy top of Group A1 and keep their hopes of a quarter-final place in their own hands.

Désiré Doué hit the side netting, and Adrien Rabiot forced a sharp save from Gianluigi Donnarumma before France, who were without Kylian Mbappé, got the breakthrough in the 10th minute.

But after a goal-kick was taken short to Donnarumma, he sliced his pass straight to the feet of Olise, who skipped between two Italy defenders and drilled his low strike past the goalkeeper at the near post.

Italy responded well to the setback as Nicolò Cambiaghi pulled a ball back into the six-yard box, with Francesco Pio Esposito sticking out a leg to knock an equaliser past Mike Maignan 26 minutes in.

His brother Sebastiano Esposito forced a good save out of Maignan shortly after, while Bradley Barcola cut inside to curl a low shot against the foot of the right post down the other end.

Donnarumma tipped a long-range Rayan Cherki effort onto the woodwork shortly after making a sloppy clearance early in the second half, and also got behind a fierce Rabiot strike.

Straight after that, Italy won a penalty after Malo Gusto clumsily brought Cambiaghi down in the box, but Sebastiano Esposito fired wide from 12 yards on the hour.

Italy were in front three minutes later, though, as substitute Federico Dimarco had an immediate impact, teeing up Frattesi for an emphatic first-time finish.

France were unable to mount a comeback of their own, though, as Dayot Upamecano brought down Antonio Vergara in the box, and Francesco Pio Esposito fired another penalty into the bottom-left corner with 15 minutes remaining to secure Italy all three points.

Italy show their grit when most needed

After Belgium's win over Türkiye earlier on Thursday, Italy knew only a win would keep their Nations League fate in their own hands heading into their final-day clash with the Red Devils.

It did not start well for Roberto Mancini's side, who were immediately put under pressure by France, but they did not panic despite going behind so early.

Donnarumma, who made his 38th error leading to an opposition goal in his career (31 for clubs, seven for Italy), also settled into the game after gifting it to Les Bleus.

San Siro is a familiar hunting ground for Inter's Francesco Pio Esposito (nine goals), who is the first player to score at least eight goals in his first 14 appearances for Italy since Christian Vieri (eight between 1997 and 1998).

It was a clinical performance from Italy, who had 11 shots to France's 17, though both sides managed five attempts on target. Les Bleus also saw two efforts strike the woodwork, though.

Francesco Pio Esposito led the way for the Azzurri with a game-high five shots, and also kept his composure where his brother stuttered.