France Tops Group A2 in UEFA Nations League with 3-1 Victory Over Italy
France secured top spot in Group A2 of the UEFA Nations League with a commanding 3-1 victory over Italy at the San Siro on Sunday. The win, marked by a stellar performance from Adrien Rabiot, ensured Les Bleus leapfrogged the Azzurri to finish the group stage with 13 points, edging Italy on goal difference. Both teams had already qualified for the quarter-finals, but it was the battle for first place that remained at stake.
The match got off to a dream start for Didier Deschamps’ side as they took the lead within the first three minutes. Lucas Digne’s outswinging corner was perfectly placed for Rabiot, who rose above the Italian defense to head past goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, making it 1-0 to France. The early goal settled the French side, who had been aiming to match Italy’s two-goal win from the reverse fixture in September.
Just half an hour later, France doubled their lead in spectacular fashion. Digne, marking his 50th international appearance, delivered a brilliant long-range free-kick from 25 yards that crashed off the crossbar, ricocheted off Vicario’s back, and found the back of the net for what was officially recorded as an own goal by the Italian goalkeeper.
Italy responded immediately, halving the deficit just two minutes later. A fine delivery from Federico Dimarco found Andrea Cambiaso at the back post, and the Italian wing-back finished with a well-placed volley past France keeper Mike Maignan, making it 2-1.
But France restored their two-goal advantage shortly after the break. Once again, it was the Digne-Rabiot combination that struck. Digne, who was heavily involved in all three French goals, floated another perfect set-piece from a free-kick near the corner flag, which Rabiot nodded home for his second goal of the night in the 65th minute.
Italy, determined to find a way back into the game, pushed for a goal in the final stages. Moise Kean had a great chance in stoppage time, but Maignan produced a fantastic save to deny the Juventus forward and secure all three points for France.
The victory not only saw France top Group A2 with 13 points but also marked their first competitive win over Italy on Italian soil. In the process, they ended Italy’s six-match unbeaten streak, while Italy will be left to rue the missed opportunity to finish first in the group.
