Italy beat France in Nations League after Frattesi's goal

England celebrated Harry Kane and the qualification for the Nations League quarter‑finals. Spain continued its winning run in the Czech Republic, while Belgium won 2‑1 in Turkey. Davide Frattesi scored for the Italian squad against France, and in the end Italy won 3‑1.

Italy's Triumph and Key Players

England secured the quarter‑final ticket in the Nations League on Thursday at a big Harry Kane party. The Ballon d’Or winner was first honoured at Wembley as the record‑appearance player and then scored the penalty for a 2‑1 victory over Croatia. Italy won the showdown against France in Milan 3‑1 after a 1‑1 deadlock.

Other Group Results

World champions Spain won 2‑0 in the Czech Republic, fielding a weakened side, and remain unbeaten in 43 matches. In Milan the vertical‑starter Pio Esposito was celebrated. The 21‑year‑old Inter Milan striker scored a double as match‑winner against the French, who had to do without the injured Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé, Marcus Thuram, Jules Koundé and William Saliba.

French Injuries and Italian Chances

Michael Olise gave Zinedine Zidane's selection an early lead (10') after Italy's goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma had supplied the ball on the break. Pio Esposito (26') equalised from close range, while a renewed French advantage was narrowly missed by a cross‑bar shot from Bradley Barcola (35') and a post‑hit from Rayan Cherki (52'). Italy also squandered a huge chance when Sebastiano Esposito, Pio's older brother, saw a penalty go wide (60').

Davide Frattesi (63') soon after gave Italy the lead, before another penalty provided the final decision. Pio Esposito grabbed the ball and scored his ninth goal from the spot in his 14th international (75').

Italy dominates in Milan, while Belgium must win on Sunday

England's Path to the Quarter‑Finals

World‑class footballer Harry Kane is being celebrated. The Italians therefore took the lead in Group A1 ahead of the level‑on‑points French and the one‑point‑behind Belgians, who will host the Squadra Azzurra on Sunday in Brussels. Belgium won 2‑1 in Izmir against the still‑point‑less Turkey. Arda Güler gave the hosts the lead in the first match under new coach Sergen Yalcin with a wonderful free‑kick (20').

The Real Madrid midfielder curled the ball from 25 metres around the wall and hit the top‑corner. Belgium turned the tide quickly with a double from Kevin de Bruyne after a pass from Jeremy Doku (27') and Charles de Ketelaere after an ideal pass from Diego Moreira (31'). At Wembley Kane was the focal point; the Bayern striker made his 126th international appearance, becoming the sole English record‑appearance player and was also the match‑winner on the day. Kane, who received a framed England shirt with the number 126 from Prince William before the match, converted a penalty in the 64th minute to seal a 2‑1 final score.

Further Results and Table Position

With 92 international goals, the Bayern striker is already number one in the history of the Three Lions. Morgan Rogers (24') had scored to give England the lead. The Croatians, who had lost the first leg in Rijeka 0‑7, equalised through Petar Sucic (59') after a failed header back‑pass from Jarell Quansah, but it was not enough because of Kane.

Italy deprived of Zaniolo for its last two Nations League matches

The English remain three points behind Spain ahead of the direct clash for the Group A3 top spot on Sunday in Madrid. Luis de la Fuente had to give up several of his injured or ill stars such as Lamine Yamal, Rodri, Dani Olmo or Mikel Oyarzabal, but his team extended the winning run and has been unbeaten since March 2024. Alex Baena converted a hand‑penalty to give the lead (39'), the Czechs pushed for an equaliser after the break. After captain Ladislav Krejci was sent off (69'), the Spaniards kept the lead beyond regular time and scored again in the 96th minute through Marc Pubill.