Football Italia Live Blog
Kick‑off is set for 19:45 GMT (20:45 CET) at Milan’s San Siro.
France sit on 10 points, Italy on seven, Belgium trailing with six ahead of Matchday 5.
Italy travels to Brussels Sunday, while France hosts Turkey the same day; only the top two advance to the quarter‑finals.
Group A1 – can Italy maintain its lead into the quarters?
The big screen mistakenly showed Bastoni booked; it was actually Frattesi, so no suspension for the Belgium clash.
“Pio was supposed to take the spot‑kick. Did they mix‑up? They’ll sort it next time,” a player said.
“It’s a fantastic moment, a great performance and wonderful to win here at San Siro,” Scalvini told Sky Sport Italia.
“The coach warned us these nights become memories when we’re old, so we knew we had to make them count,” he added.
“France are a powerful side with blistering pace, but we stayed united and seized control in the second half. I’ve always idolised Bastoni; playing beside him is brilliant, regardless of a three‑ or four‑man defence,” he explained.
“We’ll relish this win tonight, then from tomorrow start prepping for Belgium. The right mindset and fire are essential,” he noted.
“Wearing this jersey feels special; it’s the dream of every player. It’s an honour, and we must earn it each time,” he said.
“On the penalty I felt extra pressure to erase my brother’s miss. Seeing it go wide hurt both of us, so I had to step up and finish,” he confessed.
“Our names were both on the sheet. Seba has the most career penalties in the squad, anyone could slip, and I converted the second,” he observed.
“When I walked up, Bosnia flashed through my mind, but you can’t hide forever. Misses happen; you just keep moving forward,” he reflected.
Since the coach arrived we were a work in progress against Belgium, but then we found our rhythm. A blend of youth and experience fuels our enthusiasm. For my money, the blend of youth and experience gives Italy the edge.
“A great performance; the lads delivered, and I hope the fans enjoyed it,” Mancini told RAI Sport.
“The goal was an error, but such things happen. We stayed calm, kept playing and ultimately deserved the win,” he explained.
“There are countless wonderful moments, yet this victory matters because we still must win in Belgium. Football remains incredible,” he remarked.
“We have work ahead, a long road still. Conceding after ten minutes could have crushed us, but we kept composure and recovered within eight minutes,” he said.
Italy now top the Nations League group, thanks to a superior head‑to‑head record over Belgium.
A single point in Brussels will guarantee quarter‑final qualification.
Francesco Pio Esposito netted twice, Sebastiano missed a penalty, and Davide Frattesi scored as Italy beat France 3‑1 at San Siro to lead their group.
Read the full match report here.
France chance missed as Olise sends it wide!
Kroupi receives a booking on his France debut.
Ricci and Scamacca start; Barella and Pio Esposito substituted.
Four minutes of stoppage time added.
France earn another free kick; Rabiot flicks it to Jaquet, whose acrobatic header sails wide.
Olise’s free kick curls over the top corner, but Donnarumma is ready.
Dimarco’s cheeky run sees Maignan out of position, then he boots from midfield, off target.
Rabiot’s corner is cleared with a strong hoof.
France appear rattled by the 3‑1 deficit, sensing the missed penalty as a turning point.
Camavinga on, Cherki off.
That’s a lot of French changes…
Mayulu, Kroupi, Kumbedi and Diouf come on.
Gusto, Truffert, Barcola and Doue’ are withdrawn.
Little brother nails it, striking low into the near‑bottom corner!
He missed one in the Bosnia World Cup playoff, but redeems himself here!
Pio Esposito steps up this time…
Vergara breaks free from Truffert and is clumsily fouled by Upamecano!
Frattesi off, Doumbia on.
Barella has an issue and is asked to be replaced.
Doué may need urgent dental care in Milan, a quick Google search could help.