Italy delivered an impressive comeback performance in the UEFA Nations League, defeating France 3-1 at the Parc des Princes on Friday night.
After conceding a record-breaking goal just 13 seconds into the match, Italy bounced back with goals from Federico Dimarco, Davide Frattesi, and Giacomo Raspadori to secure all three points in what was a thrilling encounter.
This victory is a crucial one for Italy, boosting their confidence after a poor showing at Euro 2024 and keeping them level at the top of Group A2 with Belgium.
Italy’s Comeback Victory: A Turnaround After a Shocking Start
France’s Bradley Barcola stunned both the Italian players and the crowd by scoring the fastest goal in French football history just 13 seconds into the match.
His goal, which came after he intercepted Giovanni Di Lorenzo’s pass, is now the fastest goal ever by a French player, breaking the previous record of 38 seconds set by Bernard Lacombe in the 1978 World Cup.
However, despite this early shock, France was unable to capitalize on their advantage, and Italy quickly regained control.
The club’s resilience was evident from the start, as they quickly regrouped and began to assert their dominance over the game.
They nearly equalized just minutes later when Frattesi’s header struck the crossbar. This was a sign of things to come, as Italy continued to press forward with intensity.
Dimarco’s Equalizer: A Magnificent Volley
Italy finally got their equalizer on the half-hour mark, and it was a goal of exceptional quality. Federico Dimarco, who plays for Inter Milan, scored a stunning volley to bring his team back on level terms.
The goal was the result of a well-executed build-up between Andrea Cambiaso and Sandro Tonali, who combined brilliantly to set up Dimarco.
Cambiaso delivered a crossfield pass to Tonali, who quickly laid it off for Dimarco. Without hesitation, Dimarco unleashed a powerful first-time volley that soared into the far corner of the net, leaving France’s goalkeeper Mike Maignan with no chance.
This goal not only brought Italy level but also shifted the momentum firmly in their favor. From this point onwards, Italy looked the more confident and dangerous side, while France struggled to find their rhythm.
Kylian Mbappe, France’s captain and star player, was largely kept quiet throughout the match, thanks to Italy’s disciplined defending.
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Frattesi Puts Italy in Front: A Tactical Masterclass
The club’s dominance continued into the second half, and it wasn’t long before they took the lead. Just five minutes after the break, Davide Frattesi scored Italy’s second goal, putting them 2-1 ahead.
The goal came from a moment of defensive frailty from France, as Youssouf Fofana’s misplaced pass was intercepted by Frattesi in midfield.
With quick thinking and sharp movement, Frattesi immediately drove forward, sparking a counterattack that caught France off guard.
Frattesi played a quick one-two with Mateo Retegui, who provided a precise cross into the box. Frattesi continued his run and finished the move with a composed shot past Maignan.
It was a well-executed counterattack, showcasing Italy’s tactical brilliance under the leadership of coach Luciano Spalletti. This goal further cemented Italy’s control of the game, as France began to look increasingly disjointed and out of ideas.
France’s Struggles: A Subdued Mbappe and Defensive Frailties
France, despite their early goal, struggled to assert themselves throughout the match. Kylian Mbappe, who had been instrumental in France’s journey to the semifinals of Euro 2024, was largely ineffective against Italy’s well-organized defense. Mbappe’s usual flair and pace were neutralized by Italy’s defenders, who denied him space to operate in.
Coach Didier Deschamps made changes in an attempt to rescue the match, bringing on Ousmane Dembele and debutant Manu Kone from the bench.
However, these changes had little impact on the game, as Italy continued to dominate possession and create chances.
One of the most telling moments of the match came when Italy almost extended their lead through Frattesi, whose header from a corner forced a brilliant save from Maignan.
France’s defense, which had been so solid in previous matches, looked vulnerable against Italy’s relentless attacks.
Raspadori Seals the Win: A Perfectly Timed Run
The club’s third and final goal came in the 74th minute, courtesy of substitute Giacomo Raspadori. Raspadori, who had only been on the pitch for a few minutes, made an immediate impact with a well-timed run into the box.
Destiny Udogie, another substitute, played a perfectly weighted pass to Raspadori, whose first touch took him past France’s defender William Saliba.
With only the goalkeeper to beat, Raspadori calmly slotted the ball into the back of the net to make it 3-1.
This goal effectively ended any hopes France had of mounting a comeback, and the home crowd responded with a mixture of whistles and silence as the final whistle approached.
A Vital Win for Italy: Redemption After Euro 2024 Disappointment
For Italy, this victory is a significant one. After their disappointing performance at Euro 2024, where they were eliminated by Switzerland in the round of 16, this win provides a much-needed boost to their confidence.
Luciano Spalletti’s side demonstrated resilience, tactical discipline, and attacking flair, qualities that were missing during the Euros.
The win also sees Italy move level at the top of Group A2 in the UEFA Nations League alongside Belgium, who secured a 3-1 win over Israel in the other match on Friday.
Italy’s next challenge will be against Israel, with the match set to take place in Budapest due to the security situation in the Middle East. A win in that game could put Italy in a strong position to qualify for the knockout stages of the Nations League.
France’s Troubles: Can Deschamps Turn It Around?
For France, this defeat raises questions about their consistency. Despite reaching the semifinals of Euro 2024, their performances have been erratic at times, and this loss to Italy will only add to the pressure on Deschamps.
The French coach will need to find a way to get the best out of his star players, particularly Mbappe, who struggled to make an impact in this match.
France’s next match will be against Belgium in Lyon, a fixture that will be a repeat of the Euro 2024 last-16 clash, which France won 1-0.
Deschamps will be hoping for a much-improved performance from his side as they look to bounce back and avoid further slip-ups in the Nations League.
A Thrilling Encounter with Lessons for Both Teams
The club’s 3-1 win over France in the UEFA Nations League was a thrilling encounter that showcased the best of Italian football. From the resilience shown after conceding an early goal to the tactical brilliance in the second half, Italy’s performance was a reminder of their potential on the international stage. For France, the defeat is a wake-up call, highlighting the need for greater consistency and better utilization of their attacking talents.
As both teams move forward in the Nations League, Italy will be looking to build on this victory, while France will be aiming to regroup and recover in their next match. Football fans can expect more excitement and drama as the tournament progresses, with Italy and France both having plenty to play for.
