Nations League comeback win makes historical past for Azzurri


A sensational equaliser from Federico Dimarco and second-half strikes by Davide Frattesi and Giacomo Raspadori gave Italy a primary ever win on the Parc des Princes because the Azzurri opened their Uefa Nations League marketing campaign by beating France 3-1.

The guests had not received in France for greater than 70 years and instantly went behind when Bradley Barcola pounced to fireside in after 13 seconds.

Dimarco arrowed in an excellent angled volley to stage earlier than the break, blasting in first-time from the returning Sandro Tonali’s intelligent flick.

Two slick strikes allowed Luciano Spalletti’s aspect to attain twice extra throughout the second half, Frattesi slotting in first time to finish a one-touch passing transfer earlier than Raspadori’s intelligent method allowed him to twist in from Future Udogie’s cross.

France vs Italy: Pleasure for Spalletti

Recent from guiding Napoli to their first Serie A title since 1990, Spalletti had been anticipated to make a swift impression on Italy when he was appointed in September 2023.

Then-European champions, they’d failed to achieve the 2022 Fifa World Cup courtesy of a play-off defeat to North Macedonia – and their tame exhibiting at Euro 2024 would have been a blow to Spalletti’s pleasure.

Italy received one among their 4 matches on the finals on their method to being comfortably overwhelmed by Switzerland within the spherical of 16, and their sleepy begin in Paris instructed a hangover quite than a clear slate.

Because it was, this grew to become one among their most memorable efficiency since Spalletti’s predecessor, Roberto Mancini, guided them to glory at Euro 2020.

Nations League: Italy shine

Frattesi supplied a touch of the incisive attacking thrills to come back, hammering a header towards the crossbar six minutes after Barcola struck.

Full-back Dimarco’s beautiful reply was even higher than Tonali’s good flick to seek out him simply contained in the field, though France would have had trigger to consider they had been the higher aspect throughout the first half.

The 2020-21 Nations League winners had no reply to the pace and precision of Italy’s motion, distribution and ending as soon as the motion resumed, Frattesi and Raspadori’s finishes matching the standard of the strikes to set them up.

Italy are subsequent in motion towards Israel in Hungary on Monday (7.45pm BST), whereas France concurrently host Belgium in Lyon. The Pink Devils beat Israel 3-1 on Friday by way of two Kevin De Bruyne objectives.





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