Italy surprises France in opening match of Nations League

Italy came from behind to beat France 3-1 at the Parc des Princes in Paris, making a spectacular start to their UEFA Nations League campaign.

France got off to a dream start when Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola stole the ball from Giovanni Di Lorenzo, burst into the box and put France ahead after just 13 seconds, scoring his first international goal.

Just five minutes later, Italy came agonisingly close to equalising when Davide Frattesi had a chance from close range, but his header hit the crossbar.

The visitors equalised on the half hour mark when Federico Dimarco and Sandro Tonali combined brilliantly. With one-on-one contact, Dimarco found the Newcastle United midfielder, who played the ball back for Dimarco to volley into the top corner.

Five minutes into the second half, Frattesi made up for his earlier miss to put the Italians ahead when he collected a low cross from Mateo Retegui and steered the ball past a helpless Mike Maignan and into the net.

Giacomo Raspadori secured the three points for the visitors when he received the ball in the box after a brilliant save from Destiny Udogie on the left and then shot past William Saliba to score Italy’s third goal.