France secure top spot with win over Italy
Published: 06:11 PM,Nov 18,2024 | EDITED : 10:11 PM,Nov 18,2024
France's defender #03 Lucas Digne (C) celebrates scoring a goal. — AFP
MILAN: Adrien Rabiot and Lucas Digne combined perfectly to celebrate their 50th international caps, helping France secure a 3-1 away win against Italy in the Nations League Group A2 decider. The victory saw France finish top of the table.
Rabiot scored a brace after being set up twice by Digne, whose remarkable free kick was deflected into the goal by Guglielmo Vicario. Italy's lone goal came from Andrea Cambiaso.
France ended the group phase with 13 points, edging Italy on goal difference. The Azzurri had previously beaten France 3-1 at the Parc des Princes in September. Meanwhile, Israel earned their sole group victory by defeating Belgium 1-0 in Budapest, but they finished last due to their inferior head-to-head record.
'We had a young squad, I wanted to see a lot of players, and winning here against an Italian team full of confidence is a great performance,' said coach Didier Deschamps.
Keeper Mike Maignan added, 'We wanted to win, we were out for revenge. It was about pride after losing at home to them.'
After a disappointing goalless draw against Israel on Thursday, Deschamps's side displayed resilience despite the absence of captain Kylian Mbappe, who was left out of the squad.
France made a dream start as Rabiot netted his fifth international goal with a header from Digne's corner just two minutes into the match.
Italy increased the tempo, but Digne's brilliant 27-metre free kick bounced off the bar and onto Vicario’s back, resulting in France's second goal in the 33rd minute.
The Azzurri quickly responded, with Cambiaso volleying in from Federico Dimarco's cutback two minutes later to narrow the deficit.
Christopher Nkunku tested Vicario with a low shot in the 59th minute as France pushed for a third goal. Digne and Rabiot linked up again, with Digne delivering a pinpoint free kick for the midfielder to score his second header of the match, restoring France’s two-goal lead.
Les Bleus then contained Italy effectively to avoid facing Portugal, Germany, or Spain in the quarterfinals.
'It had been a long time since we played such a game. Our goal was to win by two goals. The aggressiveness and team spirit were great,' said Rabiot.
— Reuters
Rabiot scored a brace after being set up twice by Digne, whose remarkable free kick was deflected into the goal by Guglielmo Vicario. Italy's lone goal came from Andrea Cambiaso.
France ended the group phase with 13 points, edging Italy on goal difference. The Azzurri had previously beaten France 3-1 at the Parc des Princes in September. Meanwhile, Israel earned their sole group victory by defeating Belgium 1-0 in Budapest, but they finished last due to their inferior head-to-head record.
'We had a young squad, I wanted to see a lot of players, and winning here against an Italian team full of confidence is a great performance,' said coach Didier Deschamps.
Keeper Mike Maignan added, 'We wanted to win, we were out for revenge. It was about pride after losing at home to them.'
After a disappointing goalless draw against Israel on Thursday, Deschamps's side displayed resilience despite the absence of captain Kylian Mbappe, who was left out of the squad.
France made a dream start as Rabiot netted his fifth international goal with a header from Digne's corner just two minutes into the match.
Italy increased the tempo, but Digne's brilliant 27-metre free kick bounced off the bar and onto Vicario’s back, resulting in France's second goal in the 33rd minute.
The Azzurri quickly responded, with Cambiaso volleying in from Federico Dimarco's cutback two minutes later to narrow the deficit.
Christopher Nkunku tested Vicario with a low shot in the 59th minute as France pushed for a third goal. Digne and Rabiot linked up again, with Digne delivering a pinpoint free kick for the midfielder to score his second header of the match, restoring France’s two-goal lead.
Les Bleus then contained Italy effectively to avoid facing Portugal, Germany, or Spain in the quarterfinals.
'It had been a long time since we played such a game. Our goal was to win by two goals. The aggressiveness and team spirit were great,' said Rabiot.
— Reuters