France vs Italy is the first big match of the UEFA Nations League 2024-2025 and the result is also the first big surprise. In the early morning of September 7 (Vietnam time), the current world runner-up lost 1-3 right at home at Parc des Princes.
Kylian Mbappe returned and played at the Parc des Princes for the first time since leaving Paris St Germain to join Real Madrid, but he failed to leave any mark.
Instead, it was youngster Bradley Barcola who made history, scoring the fastest goal in the history of the French national team. At 13 seconds, the PSG player scored against the visitors.
Immediately after the opening whistle, the ball was passed back to Giovanni Di Lorenzo, who could only watch as Barcola stole the ball from his feet, strode towards goal and scored.
The goal could have ruined Italy's plans, despite coach Luciano Spaletti playing a 3-5-1-1 formation. But they should have equalised just minutes later when Andrea Cambiaso held the ball at the far post, but despite being unmarked at close range, Davide Frattesi could only head against the crossbar.
They did equalise in the 30th minute, though, and it was a remarkable moment that brought them back into the game, when a neat one-two on the edge of the box between Federico Dimarco and Sandro Tonali ended in a thunderous volley into the top corner, leaving Mike Maignan helpless.
The goal was a boost for Spalletti's men and they reaped the rewards of their pressure just after the break, when Mateo Retegui crossed for Frattesi to score in the 51st minute.
The Inter Milan midfielder had another chance with a header from Dimarco's corner but Maignan was quick to save. However, the visitors did not have to wait long to double their advantage.
Two substitutes made the difference. Destiny Udogie provided the perfect assist for Giacomo Raspadori to score his first goal outside Italy in nearly two years.
Italy returned with three points and shared the top spot with Belgium, who also had a 3-1 win over Israel in Group A 2 of League A.
As for France, they have only won 1 of their last 7 matches in the UEFA Nations League.
