Pio Esposito struck twice to hand Zinedine Zidane his first defeat as France head coach, as Italy stormed back to win 3-1 at San Siro and go top of their Nations League group. Michael Olise profited from a Gianluigi Donnarumma error to put the visitors ahead after 10 minutes, but Italy hit back through Esposito and Davide Frattesi either side of half-time.

France started electrically in pouring rain in Milan despite being without Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé through injury. Désiré Doué hit the side netting, captain Adrien Rabiot tested Donnarumma, and Lucas Da Cunha's rasping half-volley flew narrowly wide. Olise's goal was his fifth in five Nations League games, a record only bettered by England captain Harry Kane's seven.S1S2

Italy equalised in the 26th minute when Nicolò Cambiaghi cut back from the byline and Esposito converted with a deft touch. France were twice denied by the woodwork, with Bradley Barcola's curling effort striking the far post before the break and Rayan Cherki's strike hitting a post in the second half. Sebastiano Esposito then missed a penalty, hammering his spot-kick wide on the hour after Cambiaghi was tripped by Malo Gusto.S1S2

Italy did not dwell on the miss. Frattesi drilled in a shot from a Federico Dimarco cross just three minutes later, and Pio Esposito converted a second penalty after Antonio Vergara was tripped by Dayot Upamecano. The result gives Italy 10 points, level with France but ahead on head-to-head record, while Belgium are third on nine after beating Turkiye, who have now lost five straight.S1S2

The win extends a strong start to Roberto Mancini's second spell as Italy coach, with a four-match unbeaten run and Italy's first home win over France since 1962.S1S2