france, without Kylian Mbappé or Ousmane Dembélé, or Antoine Griezmann After retiring as an international, he achieved the feat to defeat Italy at the San Siro by 1-3 and knock them out of first place in group 2 of League A of the Nations League on the final day.
Therefore, the ‘bleus’ will avoid the other group winners (Spain, Germany and Portugal) in the quarter-finals, while the ‘azzurra’, second in total goal difference (+6 against +5), will face with one of them having the handicap of playing the second leg away from home.
Seeing is believing. France returned to Italy the 1-3 it handed them in Paris in September thanks to their set piece victory. Two of the goals were traced: crosses Lucas Digne, the first from a corner and the second from a free kick, and a perfect header from Adrien Rabiot. 0-2 was also created by former Barça player Digne with another free kick that hit the crossbar and the ball, after bouncing behind the goalkeeper. Guglielmo Vicario, enter the goal.
Maignan, key to the end at ‘his’ San Siro
Italy is in many stages inferior to France and only the heart of Federico Dimarco he was allowed to score 1-2 until Andrea Cambiaso after finishing a cross from Interista. Desperate, the ‘azzurra’ put France in trouble but Mike Maignanthe Milan goalkeeper, was excellent at his stadium and avoided 2-3 in extra time with a shot from Moses Kean with a providential hand.
Rabiot He needed just three minutes to open the scoring by heading in a corner taken Worthy from the left. Dimarco He even got hold of the ball under the goalposts but was unable to prevent the goal.
France controls the situation
After 0-1, both teams shared possession, but France gave the impression of controlling the game as their pressure in the middle of the field prevented the Italians from developing plays and creating of opportunities.
Half an hour later, Digne, who had already assisted on the first goal, also made it 0-2 with a rare free kick against the crossbar. The ball went into the net after bouncing behind the goalkeeper Vicar.
Italy rose again in the heart of Dimarco
France appreciated the victory but two minutes later came the reaction of the ‘azzurra’ thanks to the heart of Dimarco, who stole the ball, with Sandro Tonali and he finished his cross from the baseline to the net Change after slightly missing the auction the first time Davide Frattesi.
Italy came out after the break with renewed vigor, but it soon became clear again that the placement of Nicolò Barella in midfield, although it allowed them to beat Belgium on Thursday in Brussels (0-1), was not smart
Italy’s play lacked precision against the physical power of the French midfield and, even worse, in defense they made the same mistake of allowing Rabiot to score again by winning the jump on a Digne cross.
Kean’s attempt with the surplus consumed Maignan destroyed it with a providential hand. The Milan goalkeeper has failed his adopted football nation another ‘calcio’ who failed again in all his favors. And they have been there many times in their recent history…
match lineup
13
20
3
21
4
22
16
8
9
18
5
16
5
3
8
15
17
19
10
12
9
14
Giuseppe Meazza Stadium
32′
Mike Maignan16
34′
77′
Jules Koundé5
81′
82′
Lucas Digne3
Manu Kone8
Ibrahima Konaté15
William Saliba17
30′
66′
Matteo Guendouzi19
92′
Christopher Nkunku10
65′
Randal Kolo Muani12
43′
Marcus Thuram9
77′
66′
Adrien Rabiot14
1′
64′
Replacements
Brice Samba1
Lucas Chevalier23
Benjamin Pavard2
81′
Dayot Upamecano4
Theo Hernandez22
Michael Olise7
82′
N’Golo Kanté13
66′
Warren Zaire-Emery18
Kingsley Coman11
77′
Bradley Barcola20
77′
66′
65′
coach
Luciano Spalletti
Didier Deschamps
Source: La Verdad
I am Shawn Partain, a journalist and content creator working for the Today Times Live. I specialize in sports journalism, writing articles that cover major sporting events and news stories. With a passion for storytelling and an eye for detail, I strive to be accurate and insightful in my work.
