Italy's historic home win over France puts Azzurri on top

Italy achieved their first home victory over France since 1962, putting them into the lead in their Nations League‑group. See us more often on Google.

The battle for a ticket to the quarter‑finals is not yet decided. National team coach Roberto Mancini told RAI Sport that the Azzurri deserved the win. He added that the French goal could have destroyed us. Mancini is a few months into his second term as Italy's national team coach.

Group position and upcoming challenge

With only one Nations League‑match left to play, Italy have excellent credentials to reach the quarter‑finals. France are second on goal difference, Belgium have one point fewer. If Italy pick up a point on Sunday against Mark van Bommel’s Belgium, the spot is secured. Mancini emphasized that Italy must win in Belgium anyway, because there is still work to be done and a long way ahead for us.

Match drama and Esposito’s impact

A huge blunder by Gianluigi Donnarumma seemed to give Italy a tough evening at San Siro. The French goal came after ten minutes and could have destroyed us, but we stayed calm. After seven or eight minutes we picked up the thread again. Italy turned the deficit into a 3‑1 lead.

Francesco Pio Esposito scored twice and thus provided an important contribution to the comeback. In his first fourteen caps for Italy the Inter striker has already scored nine times. Esposito said he is extremely happy with the shirt, finds it a particular honour and that they must prove they deserve it each time.

After the break he saw his brother Sebastiano fly beside the goal on a penalty. When Italy later earned a second penalty, Esposito himself stood behind the ball; he felt an extra responsibility to rectify his brother’s mistake, to score and to decide the match for him.