France held to 1-1 draw by Italy in Zidane's home debut as manager
Michael Olise scored a 55th-minute free kick before Alessandro Bastoni equalized for Italy in Paris, giving Zinedine Zidane his first dropped points as France manager.
Stalemate at the Stade de France
Zinedine Zidane experienced his first dropped points as manager of the French national team on Friday night, as France drew 1-1 against Italy in Saint-Denis. The UEFA Nations League fixture at the Stade de France served as Zidane's first home fixture in charge of Les Bleus, following earlier away victories over Turkey and Belgium. The venue matched the setting of Zidane's 1998 World Cup triumph as a player against Brazil, though his managerial home debut proved frustrating against an Italian side that restricted French openings. Italy produced dangerous counterattacks early in the contest, with Moise Kean failing to convert from close range in the fourth minute before having a late first-half effort ruled out for offside. Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma kept the match level before the interval by denying multiple French attacks.
Second-half turnaround and red card
France increased their offensive pressure early in the second half, with Donnarumma saving consecutive attempts from Ousmane Dembele in the 48th minute and Michael Olise two minutes later. The hosts broke the deadlock in the 55th minute when Olise curled an 18-meter free kick off the underside of the crossbar into the top right corner following a routine with Rayan Cherki. Italy responded in the 68th minute through central defender Alessandro Bastoni, who intercepted a pass from Lucas Da Cunha during France's attempt to play out from defense in Da Cunha's second senior cap. Bastoni advanced unopposed against goalkeeper Mike Maignan to slot home the equalizer. France finished the contest with ten men after defender Dayot Upamecano received a second yellow card in the 85th minute.
- Moise Kean misses close-range scoring opportunity for Italy.
- Gianluigi Donnarumma saves a shot from Ousmane Dembele.
- Michael Olise opens the scoring with an 18-meter free kick.
- Alessandro Bastoni equalizes for Italy after a defensive turnover.
- Dayot Upamecano is sent off following a second yellow card.
Belgium cruise past struggling Turkey
In the other fixture in Group A, Belgium secured a 3-0 victory against Turkey at the Stade Maurice Dufrasne in Liege, delivering coach Mark van Bommel a win in his first home match in charge. Kevin De Bruyne opened the scoring in the tenth minute with a solo run through the Turkish defense before doubling Belgium's advantage in the second half with a long-range strike. Romelu Lukaku entered from the bench to seal the victory 15 minutes before the final whistle, recording the 94th international goal of his career. The defeat left Turkey and their manager Vincenzo Montella with three losses from three matches in the Nations League campaign following their group-stage exit at the World Cup.
Decisive wins and farewells across Europe
Elsewhere in Friday's Nations League action, Poland recorded a 6-0 victory over Romania behind a hat-trick from 38-year-old striker Robert Lewandowski, who scored in the first half, early in the second period, and in the closing stages. In Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina drew 1-1 with Sweden in the final international appearance of Schalke forward Edin Dzeko. Dzeko had an apparent stoppage-time opening goal at the end of the first half disallowed by the video assistant referee before Sweden scored after the restart and Bosnia-Herzegovina equalized in the closing minutes. The competition resumes on Monday, when France host Belgium and Italy travel to face Turkey.
