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France secured a 3-1 win against Italy at the San Siro in the UEFA Nations League on Saturday, November 17. The result means that Les Bleus end the group stage as winners of League A Group 2 with 13 points, ahead of the Azzurri merely on goal difference. Both teams have qualified for the quarter-finals.
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France made a dream start to the contest as they grabbed an early lead to silence the home crowd. Luca Digne's pass found Adrien Rabiot, who converted to make it 1-0 after just two minutes on the clock. Despite having lesser of the ball, the visitors looked to put Italy on the back foot as they tried to create further distance with them.
Their efforts paid off in the 33rd minute as Italy conceded an own goal courtesy of Guglielmo Vicario to give France a 2-0 lead. The credit was taken by Lucas Digne, whose initial free-kick beat the goalkeeper's outstretched hand before bouncing off his back and into the goal.
However, the hosts showed that the contest was far from over with a swift response. Andrea Cambiaso scored from an assist by Federico Dimarco to bring Italy back into the contest as it was 2-1 after 35 minutes.
Neither Italy nor France could trouble the scorekeepers again as the visitors led 2-1 at half-time.
France started the second half well but shared the same possession stats with Italy as they had in the first half. However, they looked sharper than their hosts and were in decent situations to score, but it took a while. Rabiot made it a brace for himself with a repeat performance of an assist by Digne as the visitors led 3-1 after 65 minutes on the clock.
Luciano Spalletti made several changes to try and bring his team back into the match but none of the players seemed ready for the intensity. Didier Deschamps made some changes as well, but neither France nor Italy were able to get on the scoresheet any more in the second half.
The French then defended very well to keep Italy out of their reach to secure a win that takes them through to the quarter-finals as group winners. On that note, let's take a look at Les Bleus' player ratings.
France Player Ratings
Mike Maignan - 7/10
He made three saves for France during the match and also played nine long balls to open up the play for the outfielders.
Jules Kounde - 6.5/10
Kounde won seven duels and made four clearances and one interception. However, he also made an error that led to Italy's goal.
Ibrahima Konate - 6.5/10
Konate captained his side in this match and put in a decent performance in defence as he won four duels and made six clearances.
William Saliba - 6.5/10
Saliba won both his duels in defence, making three clearances, one block and one interception as well. He also played three long balls.
Lucas Digne - 9/10
Digne had a great game as he provided assists for France's first and third goals. He also put in a shift in defence, winning six duels and making two clearances and one interception.
Matteo Guendouzi - 7/10
Guendouzi passed the ball with 84% accuracy, including one key pass. He also won six duels in midfield, making four clearances and two interceptions as well. He was also booked for time-wasting late in the match.
Manu Kone - 7/10
Kone passed the ball with 94% accuracy and also won nine duels, making one block and one interception as well.
Adrien Rabiot - 8.5/10
Rabiot had a great game as he scored a brace. He also won eight duels in midfield, making two clearances and one interception.
Christopher Nkunku - 7/10
Nkunku attempted one shot on target and won four duels in a decent performance for his team.
Randal Kolo Muani - 6/10
He had a poor game as he failed to attempt a single shot. Kolo Muani also won just three of 16 duels and lost possession of the ball 15 times.
Marcus Thuram - 7/10
Thuram attempted one shot that was blocked. He also won seven duels and made two tackles.
Substitutes
Bradley Barcola - 6.5/10
He came on in the 78th minute to replace Thuram but could not make an impact on the proceedings.
Benjamin Pavard - 6.5/10
He came on in place of Kounde and put in a good defensive shift to help France secure the result.
