The Italian national team had to admit the superiority of the French national team with a score of 1-3 in the 2024/2025 UEFA Nations League match held at the San Siro, Milan, Sunday(11/1/2024).
France’s three winning goals were each scored by Adrien Rabiot (two goals) and Guglielmo Vicario’s own goal due to Lucas Digne’s free kick. Italy narrowed the gap thanks to Andrea Cambiaso’s goal.
Thanks to this result, France has shifted Italy from the top of Group 2 League A. France and Italy both have 13 points, but France is superior in head to head.
The match had only been going on for two minutes, France had already managed to open the lead. Rabiot’s header following Digne’s corner successfully broke into Vicario’s goal.
In a losing situation, Italy tried to equalize. In the ninth minute, Nicolo Barella’s shot from outside the penalty box was still saved by Mike Maignan.
Italy tried to control the ball which France answered with pressing.
In the 33rd minute, France increased their lead through a neat free kick from Lucas Digne. The distance between the ball and the goal was quite far, but it did not trouble Digne, instead it emphasized the ability of the Rooster Team’s left back as a reliable executor.
The ball headed to the top right corner of the Italian goal and Vicario had time to touch the ball before it went into the goal. France led 2-0.
Two minutes after France’s goal, Italy reduced the distance. Starting from an attack on the left wing, Federico Dimarco’s pass was almost met by Davide Frattesi’s header. The ball was still out of Frattesi’s reach, but Andrea Cambiaso was in the right place and time to receive the pass. The Juventus midfielder’s final execution was perfect and could not be blocked by Mike Maignan.
The score of 2-1 for France was displayed until the first half ended. In the second half, both Gli Azzurri and Les Bleus tried to play aggressively.
Dead balls were again the key for France to break through Italy’s goal. Lucas Digne’s free kick from the left wing sent the ball into the penalty box and Rabiot was again able to maximize the opportunity well. France led 3-1 in the 66th minute.
Cambiaso tried to beat Maignan with a long-range shot in the 68th minute, but his shot only made the ball go to the side of the goal.
Italy continued to try to score additional goals, including by Moise Kean in injury time. Maignan appeared solid under the French crossbar to secure his goal.
France maintained their 3-1 victory away from home. With this victory, France became the champion of Group A2 of the UEFA Nations League, and Italy became runner-up. Both countries are entitled to advance to the quarter-finals of the 2024/2025 UEFA Nations League.
