Italy vs France delivered an intense UEFA Nations League clash in Paris, where Italy came from behind to secure a 3-1 victory. The game started with a shock as France netted within 13 seconds, but Italy responded with a dominant performance.
France’s Bradley Barcola stunned the crowd at Parc des Princes by scoring the fastest-ever goal by a French player. However, the hosts couldn’t capitalize on the early lead, allowing Italy to take control of the match.
This win gave a significant boost to Luciano Spalletti’s side after a disappointing exit from Euro 2024. Italy now shares the top spot in Group A2 with Belgium, who beat Israel 3-1 on the same day. Italy will next face Israel in Budapest, while France will look to recover against Belgium in Lyon.
Barcola’s Early Impact
The match kicked off with a surprise. Italy lost possession right after kickoff, and Barcola quickly pressed high to steal the ball from Giovanni Di Lorenzo. He finished confidently to put France ahead in record time. His 13-second goal broke the previous France record, set by Bernard Lacombe in the 1978 World Cup, who had scored in 38 seconds—also against Italy.
Despite France’s lightning start, Italy responded well. Davide Frattesi came close to equalizing in the sixth minute, heading against the bar from close range.
Italy’s Comeback Begins
Italy found their equalizer at the half-hour mark. Federico Dimarco finished a stunning move, receiving a return pass from Sandro Tonali before volleying the ball into the far corner. This brilliant goal lifted Italy, who looked sharper as the match progressed.
Just five minutes after the break, Italy took the lead. Frattesi intercepted a poor pass from Youssouf Fofana in midfield. He initiated a swift counterattack, which ended with him scoring from Mateo Retegui’s cross.
France Struggles to Respond
France coach Didier Deschamps made changes, bringing on Ousmane Dembele and giving midfielder Manu Kone his debut. Despite these efforts, France failed to regain momentum. Italy continued to threaten, with Frattesi forcing a save from Mike Maignan with a powerful header.
In the 74th minute, Giacomo Raspadori sealed the win for Italy. Running into the box unmarked, he received a pass from Destiny Udogie. His first touch took him past France defender William Saliba, and he calmly finished to make it 3-1.
Final Whistle and Reactions
The French crowd reacted with whistles and disappointment as the final whistle blew. Kylian Mbappe, the France captain, had little impact on the game, and his side’s flat performance left much to be desired. Italy, meanwhile, celebrated a well-deserved victory, a crucial step in their Nations League campaign.
This Italy vs France clash will be remembered for Barcola’s historic goal, but Italy’s resilience and fightback secured them all three points.
