Zidane’s France held by Italy in first meeting since 2006 World Cup final

France were held to a 1-1 draw by Italy in the third round of the UEFA Nations League group stage at the Stade de France in Paris.

Michael Olise gave France the lead before Alessandro Bastoni equalised for Italy 13 minutes later.

The match was Zinedine Zidane’s first against Italy as France manager since the 2006 World Cup final, when he was sent off after confronting Italy defender Marco Materazzi. It was also Zidane’s first game in France in charge of the national team.

France had previously played two matches under Zidane, in Turkey and Belgium.

Supporters marked his return by preparing a special display in the stands before kick-off.

The draw ended a run of six matches between the two nations, across competitive and friendly fixtures, without a stalemate. Their previous draw was on 8 September 2007 in qualifying for Euro 2008.

France remain top of the group on seven points, while Italy are third with four. Belgium moved into second place on six points after beating Turkey 3-0, leaving Turkey bottom without a point.

France and Italy share the points

Zidane selected an attacking trio of Desire Doue, Ousmane Dembele and Michael Olise.

Italy manager Roberto Mancini started Francesco Pio Esposito and Sebastiano Esposito in attack alongside Moise Kean.

France goalkeeper Mike Maignan made an excellent save in the ninth minute to keep out a powerful effort from Kean.

Olise then sent a cross into the area in the 23rd minute which struck an Italy defender before hitting the crossbar.

Italy went close again six minutes before half-time when Davide Frattesi’s shot deflected off a France defender and went behind for a corner.

Gianluigi Donnarumma produced two impressive saves in quick succession in the 48th minute. He first denied a curling effort from Doue, then recovered to stop Dembele after the rebound fell to the France forward.

France took the lead seven minutes later, with Olise scoring directly from a free-kick.

Italy levelled in the 68th minute when Bastoni won possession from France’s Lucas da Cunha, ran through on goal and finished into the net.

Maignan was required to make another difficult save in the 81st minute, keeping out Kean’s dangerous header. The ball struck the crossbar before going out for a corner.

France were reduced to 10 players four minutes later when Dayot Upamecano received a second yellow card and was dismissed.

Neither side created a further threat in the closing stages, and the game finished level.