France’s Adrien Rabiot led his team to a 3-1 win over Italy on Sunday, propelling Les Bleus to the top of Nations League Group A2. The decisive brace, both headers off Lucas Digne’s set pieces, ensured France moved ahead of Italy on goal difference, despite both teams already securing their spots in the quarterfinals.
Key Moments in the Match
The match at Milan’s San Siro saw France dominate, although Italy initially regained control when Andrea Cambiaso equalized after Digne’s free-kick hit the crossbar. However, Rabiot’s 65th-minute header from another Digne cross put France in the lead for good. The win lifted France to 13 points, one ahead of Italy, after both teams had a strong start to the competition.
France’s Strong Set-Piece Play
While Italy had impressive moments, particularly with Cambiaso’s neat finish, their defensive vulnerabilities were exposed. The Azzurri has now conceded six goals from set pieces in recent games, a notable weakness for a team known for its defensive strength. Goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, standing in for Gianluigi Donnarumma, struggled during the match, particularly in dealing with the set-pieces that resulted in France’s goals.
Read: Karachi Imposes Ban on Double Parking to Ease Traffic Woes
Italy’s Mixed Performance
For Italy, the match was a bittersweet moment in what had been a surprising resurgence. After a dismal European Championship defense, they had hoped to keep their spot at the top of the group, but their defensive lapses and inability to finish open play chances allowed France to come through. Despite the defeat, the enthusiasm from over 68,000 fans at the San Siro showed that the Italian squad’s performance has sparked hope for the future.
Rabiot’s Standout Performance
The standout player was Rabiot, who was pivotal not only for his goals but also for his leadership on the field. This performance was especially significant after a tumultuous international break for France, including the absence of captain Kylian Mbappé and a frustrating 0-0 draw with Israel earlier in the week.
This win marks a solid performance for France as they prepare for the next stages of the Nations League, while Italy will look to regroup after a narrow loss that kept them on track for the quarterfinals.
Follow us on Google News, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook,Whats App, and TikTok for latest updates
