Italy celebrates Nations League triumph – a possible fresh start for the Azzurra
World champion Nobelfan Italy celebrates after the 3-1 victory over France in the Nations League, a result hailed as a possible fresh start and instantly lifting the mood in the country. The triumph sparks a fireworks display of emotions in the streets of Rome and Milan.
Not only the Italian Formula 1 world champion Kimi Antonelli is thrilled. The win quickly lets the tifosi dream of success again. Jubilation and praise dominate the atmosphere. Everyone involved celebrates the triumph.
Mood in Italy after the win
The departure of the coaching staff of Roberto Mancini in the summer three years ago is largely forgotten. Also the earlier fiascos, the mockery and the taunts from the international football world towards Italy are brushed aside. The suffering fans, among whom the world champion lucky charm Kimi Antonelli belongs, celebrate the Squadra Azzurra again.
"These are the most beautiful games," said Roberto Mancini after the spectacular 3-1 in the Nations League against France, a team that has been among the dominant sides for over ten years. The opposing lineup lacked the stars Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé. For many Italians this seemed hardly significant.
It wrote that all of Italy is making progress and the win could be a fresh start. The Corriere della Sera recalled that eight months ago the Italians were stuck in the swamp in Zenica, while now the San Siro dances in the rain, as if the national team has been unbeaten since 1962. On March 31 the Italians lost in Zenica in a penalty shoot‑out against Bosnia‑Herzegovina and missed the World Cup for the third consecutive time.
Esposito rescues Italy with equaliser against France in Nations League
Match progression and aftermath
This sporting trauma is deeply embedded in the memory of the tifosi. The Nations League evening in Milan remained unforgettable and even moved Formula 1 world champion Antonelli to the brink of tears. Even before kickoff the fans celebrated the twenty‑year‑old Mercedes driver.
The focus then shifted to the almost equally‑aged brothers Pio Esposito (21) and Sebastiano Esposito (24). After a lead by the guest Michael Olise from Bayern, the younger Esposito equalised. In the second half the older brother missed a penalty, before Davide Frattesi and again Pio Esposito sealed the victory with a penalty.
Thus the Esposito brothers together scored two goals, while one penalty was missed. "On the penalty I bear the double responsibility of deciding the game and erasing Seba's mistake," explained Inter striker Pio Esposito, who has already scored nine goals in just fourteen appearances for the Squadra Azzurra. "I will dream about this damned penalty tonight," wrote Sebastiano Esposito on Instagram and thanked his teammates for the win. A heartfelt "Grazie" to his brother could not be missing.
Italy leads Group A, but the Red Devils must win on Sunday
With the third win in four games the Italians took the lead in Group 1, ahead of the level‑on‑points French, who under their new star‑coach Zinédine Zidane had to accept their first competitive match defeat. L’Équipe called the result the first faux pas of the French. Belgium now trails Italy by just one point, and the next match takes place next Sunday in Brussels. The Corriere dello Sport thanked Roberto Mancini on its front page for bringing back the true love for the national team. Mancini had left the post in August 2023, roughly two years after the Euro title, and shortly thereafter accepted a multi‑million‑dollar offer as national coach of Saudi Arabia. At that time he was accused of having left the team awkwardly in the lurch. Since the end of July Roberto Mancini is back in office, and his comeback could have significantly influenced the victorious evening.