Zinedine Zidane made a symbolic return to Stade de France after 20 years, this time as the head coach of the French national team. The Nations League clash against Italy ended in a 1-1 draw.
The French side pressed high from the outset, but it was the Azzurri who fashioned the first real chance. Moise Kean missed an almost open goal thanks to a save from Mike Maignan, and later had a goal disallowed for offside. The hosts finally broke the deadlock in the 55th minute when Ryan Cherki and Michael Olise combined from a free kick, with Olise delivering a stunning strike off the crossbar that beat Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Italy responded in the 68th minute through a precise finish by Alessandro Bastoni, leveling the score. Late in the match, Dayot Upamecano received a second yellow card, reducing France to ten men, but the scoreline remained unchanged.
UEFA Nations League 2026-27
France – Italy 1:1 (0:0)
Goals: Olise 55 (1:0); Bastoni 68 (1:1)
France: Maignan; Kalulu; Truffert; Upamecano (sent off 85′); Jaqen; Olise; Rabiot; Da Cunha (Lacroix M., 87′); Cherki (Camavinga, 76′); Due D. (Barcola B., 76′); Dembélé U.
Substitutions: Camavinga (from 76′); Barcola B. (from 76′); Lacroix M. (from 87′)
Reserves: Rest; Butez; Koundé; Yoro; Koné M.; Acliush; Diouf A.; Lepol
Yellow cards: Upamecano 73′, 85′
Red cards: Upamecano 85′
Italy: Donnarumma G.; Caiode M.; Calafiori; Bastoni; Scalvini; Tonali (Barella, 62′); Fagioli (Scamacca, 90′); Frattesi (Dumbia, 80′); Pio Esposito (Vergara A., 62′); Kean Mo.; Esposito Se. (Maldini D., 80′)
Substitutions: Barella (from 62′); Vergara A. (from 62′); Dumbia (from 80′); Maldini D. (from 80′); Scamacca (from 90′)
Reserves: Carnesecchi; Vicario G.; Ruggeri; Di Lorenzo; Mancini J.; Ricci S.; Zoma
Yellow cards: Fagioli 54′; Kean Mo. 73′; Vergara A. 82′; Bastoni 90′
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