Nations League comeback win makes history for Azzurri

A sensational equaliser from Federico Dimarco and second-half strikes by Davide Frattesi and Giacomo Raspadori gave Italy a first ever win at the Parc des Princes as the Azzurri opened their Uefa Nations League campaign by beating France 3-1.

The visitors had not won in France for more than 70 years and immediately went behind when Bradley Barcola pounced to fire in after 13 seconds.

Dimarco arrowed in a glorious angled volley to level before the break, blasting in first-time from the returning Sandro Tonali’s clever flick.

Two slick moves allowed Luciano Spalletti’s side to score twice more during the second half, Frattesi slotting in first time to complete a one-touch passing move before Raspadori’s clever technique allowed him to curl in from Destiny Udogie’s pass.

Calcio. Spirit. Italy. 💙#FRAITA #Azzurri #VivoAzzurro pic.twitter.com/equDOdCfDD

— Italy ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@Azzurri_En) September 6, 2024

France vs Italy: Joy for Spalletti

Fresh from guiding Napoli to their first Serie A title since 1990, Spalletti had been expected to make a swift impression on Italy when he was appointed in September 2023.

Then-European champions, they had failed to reach the 2022 Fifa World Cup courtesy of a play-off defeat to North Macedonia – and their tame showing at Euro 2024 would have been a blow to Spalletti’s pride.

Italy won one of their four matches at the finals on their way to being comfortably beaten by Switzerland in the round of 16, and their sleepy start in Paris suggested a hangover rather than a clean slate.

As it was, this became one of their most memorable performance since Spalletti’s predecessor, Roberto Mancini, guided them to glory at Euro 2020.

🫶🫶🫶#FRAITA #Azzurri #VivoAzzurro pic.twitter.com/XHNEfBuv1u

— Italy ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@Azzurri_En) September 6, 2024

Nations League: Italy shine

Frattesi provided a hint of the incisive attacking thrills to come, hammering a header against the crossbar six minutes after Barcola struck.

Full-back Dimarco’s exquisite reply was even better than Tonali’s brilliant flick to find him just inside the box, although France would have had cause to believe they were the better side during the first half.

The 2020-21 Nations League winners had no answer to the speed and precision of Italy’s movement, distribution and finishing once the action resumed, Frattesi and Raspadori’s finishes matching the quality of the moves to set them up.

Italy are next in action against Israel in Hungary on Monday (7.45pm BST), while France simultaneously host Belgium in Lyon. The Red Devils beat Israel 3-1 on Friday through two Kevin De Bruyne goals.