Italy staged a strong comeback to defeat France 3-1 at San Siro, rising to the top of their Nations League group. Francesco Pio Esposito netted twice, and Davide Frattesi also scored in a memorable win for the Azzurri.
The outcome was especially meaningful considering Italy’s recent struggles against France at home. Sebastiano Esposito missed a penalty, but his younger brother compensated with two goals to help secure all three points.
France takes the lead, but Italy responds through Pio Esposito
France came to San Siro with a long list of absentees, including Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele, Aurelien Tchouameni, and several other regular players. Italy also had to manage without Gianluca Mancini, Nicolò Zaniolo, Moise Kean, and Mattia Zaccagni, relying on the Esposito brothers in attack.
The visitors began brightly, with Adrien Rabiot forcing Gianluigi Donnarumma into an early save with a header at the back post. Lucas Da Cunha then sent a half-volley narrowly wide, but France eventually turned their pressure into a goal.
Donnarumma made a costly error when trying to play out from the back, giving possession to Michael Olise. The French forward took advantage and fired home to put his side ahead. It was the first time France had scored before half-time under Zinedine Zidane.
Italy gradually found their rhythm, with Bradley Barcola testing Donnarumma before the hosts equalised. Davide Frattesi helped start the attacking move, and Nicolò Cambiaghi delivered a low ball across the penalty area from the left by-line. Pio Esposito got the decisive touch, guiding the ball into the net from close range for his eighth international goal.
Italy and France trade chances after the break
The equaliser gave the Azzurri renewed confidence. Sebastiano Esposito nearly put Italy ahead after turning sharply inside the penalty area, but Mike Maignan was equal to his effort. Rayan Cherki also threatened from distance, while Barcola came close to restoring France’s advantage when his curling attempt struck the base of the far post.
France continued to create problems after the interval. Donnarumma was caught in an awkward situation while trying to prevent a corner but quickly recovered, tipping Cherki’s effort onto the upright. Italy responded through Pio Esposito, whose flick-on almost reached Cambiaghi, only for Maignan to intervene.
The Italian goalkeeper then produced another important save, getting down to stop Rabiot’s angled effort at the near post. Italy immediately launched a counterattack, during which Cambiaghi was brought down by Malo Gusto inside the penalty area.
Sebastiano Esposito took responsibility for the resulting spot-kick, but the forward sent his attempt wide of the target. It was a costly miss, as Italy had been handed a golden opportunity to take the lead.
Frattesi and Pio Esposito seal Italy’s comeback
The missed penalty did not derail Italy’s momentum. Federico Dimarco came off the bench and made an immediate difference, with Niccolò Barella winning possession in midfield before the substitute delivered a low cross from the left.
Frattesi met the ball first-time from eight yards and sent it into the net, putting Italy 2-1 ahead. The midfielder, who plays for Lazio, registered his 10th goal for the national team.
The hosts were not finished. Antonio Vergara capitalised on an error by Truffert before being brought down by Dayot Upamecano, giving Italy another penalty. This time, Pio Esposito stepped forward and made no mistake, driving a powerful, low effort into the bottom corner at the near post.
The goal completed his brace and provided a measure of redemption after his earlier penalty miss in the World Cup play-off against Bosnia. His brother Sebastiano had failed from the spot earlier in the match, making the contrast between their contributions even more striking.
France attempted to respond, but Olise sent a free-kick over the crossbar, while Dimarco’s ambitious effort to lob Maignan from midfield went well off target. Italy held on for a 3-1 victory, ending their difficult run of home results against France and climbing to the top of their Nations League group.