In a stunning turnaround, Italy overcame an early setback to defeat France 3-1 in their UEFA Nations League opener at the Parc des Princes in Paris. The match began with a shock for Italy, as France’s Bradley Barcola capitalized on a defensive error by Giovanni Di Lorenzo to score just 13 seconds into the game, setting a new record for the fastest goal in French national team history.However, Italy, under the guidance of new coach Luciano Spalletti, showed remarkable resilience and tactical acumen. Federico Dimarco equalized with a powerful shot in the 30th minute, assisted by Sandro Tonali. The comeback was completed in the second half when Davide Frattesi found the net in the 51st minute, putting Italy ahead. Giacomo Raspadori sealed the victory for the Azzurri with a third goal in the 74th minute.This result is particularly significant for Italy, serving as a confidence boost after their disappointing Euro 2024 campaign where they were eliminated by Switzerland in the last 16. For France, the defeat comes as a disappointment, especially after their semi-final exit in Euro 2024. Despite the presence of stars like Kylian Mbappé and Antoine Griezmann, the French team struggled to make an impact.The loss has put pressure on France’s coach Didier Deschamps, with some fans chanting for Zinedine Zidane to take over. Meanwhile, Spalletti’s Italy has been praised for their intensity and dynamism, with the coach stating, ‘We were giants tonight’.In the other match of Group 2, Belgium defeated Israel 3-1. The next round of matches will see France host Belgium in Lyon, while Italy will face Israel in Budapest on Monday, September 9.
Key points
- Italy came from behind to defeat France 3-1 in their UEFA Nations League opener.
- Bradley Barcola scored for France after just 13 seconds, but Italy responded with goals from Dimarco, Frattesi, and Raspadori.
- The victory marks a significant turnaround for Italy after their disappointing Euro 2024 campaign.
- The loss has put pressure on France’s coach Didier Deschamps, with some fans calling for Zinedine Zidane to take over.
Contradictions👾There is a slight discrepancy in the reported time of Barcola’s opening goal, with some sources stating 13 seconds and others reporting 14 seconds.
