Zinedine Zidane was denied victory on his home debut as France boss after Italy fought back for a 1-1 draw at the Stade de France.
2026/2027 UEFA Nations League
1-1
Match Report
Michael Olise's stunning strike looked set to secure France a third consecutive 1-0 win in the Nations League, but Alessandro Bastoni pounced on an error from Adrien Rabiot to rescue a point for Italy, before Dayot Upamecano also saw red.
Although France dominated possession in the early stages, Italy squandered a huge chance to take the lead after Moise Kean shot straight at Mike Maignan from close range following a brilliant low cross from Michael Kayode.
The hosts hit the crossbar when Doue's deflected centre landed on Gianluigi Donnarumma's crossbar, but it was Italy who wasted another big chance before the break as Davide Frattesi's eventual shot from Kayode's long throw was deflected wide of the left post.
France then made Italy pay for their wastefulness 10 minutes into the second half. Rayan Cherki won a free-kick on the edge of the box, and he rolled the ball for Olise to smash in off the crossbar.
However, the Azzurri levelled against the run of play in the 68th minute as Rabiot played Lucas da Cunha into trouble, and Bastoni took full advantage as he won possession and expertly finished past Maignan.
France's hopes of finding a winner took a blow five minutes from time after Upamecano was shown a second yellow card for bringing down Kean, and the visitors managed to hold on for an important point on the road.
Nos Bleus concèdent le match nul face à l’Italie, mais conservent leur première place dans le groupe #FRAITA pic.twitter.com/DXD6ZdkA1i
— Equipe de France (@equipedefrance) October 2, 2026
France miss Mbappe's magic
Zidane's side prevailed last time out against Belgium without star striker Kylian Mbappe, with Olise providing the goods on that occasion, but the Bayern Munich winger's contribution on this occasion was not enough for France.
Although Olise, Doue and Ousmane Dembele combined for 12 shots, with the latter responsible for six of those attempts, it was only an unstoppable effort from Olise which managed to get the better of Donnarumma, who made seven saves for Roberto Mancini's side.
Overall, Mancini will certainly be the happier of the two coaches. Italy won the expected goals (xG) battle 1.46 to 1.21 despite recording fewer shots (14 to 18) and far fewer touches in the opposition box (18 to 49).
France conceded eight shots before the break, their highest total at half-time of a home match since July 2016 in the European Championship semi-final against Germany (11).
While France remain top of Group A1 in the Nations League, Zidane will know his side must click in attack to give their defenders more to work with; France have scored once in each of their three games.
Match Events
0' The match is about to start!
9' Match Event for France vs Italy
16' Match Event for France vs Italy
23' Highlight from France vs Italy
29' Match Event for France vs Italy
33' Match Event for France vs Italy
39' Highlight from France vs Italy
41' Match Event for France vs Italy
42' Match Event for France vs Italy
48' Match Event for France vs Italy
50' Match Event for France vs Italy
55' GOAL! France 1-0 Italy (Michael Olise)
68' GOAL! France 1-1 Italy (Alessandro Bastoni)
69' Match Event for France vs Italy
70' Highlight from France vs Italy
73' Highlight from France vs Italy
73' Match Event for France vs Italy
76' Match Event for France vs Italy
77' Highlight from France vs Italy
80' Match Event for France vs Italy
85' Red Card! Sent Off
86' Match Event for France vs Italy
Line-ups
France XI: Maignan, Rabiot, Dembele, Upamecano, Lucas Da Cunha, Kalulu, Cherki, Olise, Adrien Truffert, Doue, Jérémy Jacquet
Subs: Jean Butez, Kounde, Maxence Lacroix, Camavinga, Manu Koné, Estéban Lepaul, Barcola, Andy Diouf, Maghnes Akliouche, Yoro, Guillaume Restes
Italy XI: Donnarumma, Bastoni, Kean, Frattesi, Tonali, Fagioli, Esposito, Calafiori, Giorgio Scalvini, Michael Kayode, Pio Esposito
Subs: Di Lorenzo, Barella, Vicario, Scamacca, G. Mancini, Marco Carnesecchi, Samuele Ricci, Matteo Ruggeri, Maldini, Antonio Vergara, Issa Doumbia, Mohamed Alì Zoma