Nations League | Italy 3-1 France: Pio Esposito puts Azzurri top to end Bleus curse
· Yahoo Sports
Francesco Pio Esposito scored twice, though brother Sebastiano missed a penalty, along with Davide Frattesi’s goal as Italy beat France 3-1 at San Siro to go top of their Nations League group.
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Les Bleus failed to win only once under Zinedine Zidane, the 1-1 draw with the Azzurri in Paris, and visited San Siro without Inter’s Marcus Thuram, Juventus defender Pierre Kalulu, Roma midfielder Manu Koné, Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé, Aurelien Tchouameni, William Saliba, Jules Koundé, Maxence Lacroix, Maghnes Akliouche and Esteban Lepaul.
Gianluca Mancini, Nicolò Zaniolo, Moise Kean and Mattia Zaccagni were among those unavailable for the Nazionale, who looked to the Esposito brothers upfront. Italy’s last home victory over France was a 2-1 friendly match in May 1962, the Azzurri managing only two draws and four defeats, including three losses on the bounce.
See how it all unfolded on the Liveblog.
MILAN – NOVEMBER 12: Zinedine Zidane, Head Coach of France, looks on before the UEFA Nations League 2026/27 group phase match between Italy and France at San Siro Stadium on November 12, 2026 in Milan. (Photo by Mattia Ozbot/Getty Images)
Gianluigi Donnarumma stuck out a boot to deny his fellow captain Adrien Rabiot’s header at the back post after nine minutes, then Como midfielder Lucas Da Cunha fired just wide on the half-volley.
However, Donnarumma gave the ball away cheaply playing out from the back, gifting the ball to Michael Olise, who fired in the opener. It was the first time under Zidane that France scored before half-time.
MILAN – NOVEMBER 12: Michael Olise of France celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the UEFA Nations League 2026/27 group phase match between Italy and France at San Siro Stadium on November 12, 2026 in Milan. (Photo by Mattia Ozbot/Getty Images)
Bradley Barcola tested Donnarumma at the near post, but the Azzurri equalised when Davide Frattesi started the move out from the back, resulting in Niccolò Cambiaghi’s pull-back from the left by-line for Pio Esposito to prod in off the outside of the boot from close range. It was the Inter hitman’s eighth goal for the Nazionale.
MILAN – NOVEMBER 12: Pio Esposito of Italy celebrates scoring his team’s first goal with Nicolo Cambiaghi and Sandro Tonali during the UEFA Nations League 2026/27 group phase match between Italy and France at San Siro Stadium on November 12, 2026 in Milan. (Photo by Mattia Ozbot/Getty Images)
It suddenly revitalised their confidence, Sebastiano Esposito turning on a sixpence to sting Mike Maignan’s gloves at the near post, while Rayan Cherki fired wide from distance.
France nearly restored their advantaged on 35 minutes when Barcola’s right-foot curler from just inside the area bounced off the base of the far post.
MILAN – NOVEMBER 12: Gianluigi Donnarumma of Italy saves a shot from Bradley Barcola of France during the UEFA Nations League 2026/27 group phase match between Italy and France at San Siro Stadium on November 12, 2026 in Milan. (Photo by Mattia Ozbot/Getty Images)
Giorgio Scalvini did just enough to prevent Barcola turning in the Jeremy Jacquet roll across from the right before half-time.
It was a frantic start to the second half, as Donnarumma got into another tangle when unsure if the ball had gone out of play trying to prevent a corner, then made up for it by fingertipping the Cherki effort onto the upright.
Moments later, Italy replied with Cambiaghi at full stretch unable to get his toes to the Pio Esposito flick-on, allowing Maignan to parry with his body.
Donnarumma made another fine save getting down to parry the Rabiot angled drive at the near post, then on the counter Cambiaghi was brought down by Malo Gusto for a penalty.
Sebastiano Esposito was the unexpected choice to step up and blasted it wide of the target, wasting a golden opportunity for Italy to take the lead.
MILAN – NOVEMBER 12: Sebastiano Esposito of Italy misses from the penalty spot during the UEFA Nations League 2026/27 group phase match between Italy and France at San Siro Stadium on November 12, 2026 in Milan. (Photo by Mattia Ozbot/Getty Images)
It was only a warning, as Federico Dimarco came off the bench and made an immediate impact. Barella won it back in midfield, Dimarco pulled back from the left for his former Inter teammate Frattesi to turn in first-time from eight yards. It was the Lazio midfielder’s 10th goal for the Nazionale.
Antonio Vergara pounced on a Truffert error and was brought down by Dayot Upamecano for another penalty, and this time it was Pio Esposito who stepped up, succeeding where his big brother did not by drilling hard and low into the near bottom corner. It was also a cathartic moment after he missed in the World Cup play-off against Bosnia.
MILAN – NOVEMBER 12: Pio Esposito of Italy scores his team’s third goal from the penalty spot during the UEFA Nations League 2026/27 group phase match between Italy and France at San Siro Stadium on November 12, 2026 in Milan. (Photo by Mattia Ozbot/Getty Images)
Olise’s free kick was over the bar and Dimarco was well off target trying to lob Maignan from midfield.
Italy 3-1 France
Olise 10 (F), Pio Esposito 26 (I), Frattesi 63 (I), Pio Esposito pen 75 (I)
Missed penalty: S Esposito 60 (I)