Sport WorldBriefSoccer Checked story Published 12 November 2026 · Updated 12 Nov, 21:55 UTC

Italy 3–1 France: Pio Esposito's brace completes a San Siro comeback and puts Italy top of Group A1

Italy came from behind to beat France 3–1 at San Siro on Thursday in the UEFA Nations League. Michael Olise put France ahead in the 10th minute, but Pio Esposito equalised in the 26th and, after his brother Sebastiano had missed a second-half penalty, Davide Frattesi put Italy ahead in the 63rd before Pio Esposito sealed it with a penalty of his own in the 75th. The win takes Italy top of Group A1, level with France on 10 points, and is Zinedine Zidane's first defeat as France manager.

Verified Italy beat France 3–1 at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza (San Siro) in Milan on Thursday 12 November 2026 in UEFA Nations League League A, Group 1, Matchday 5. Michael Olise put France ahead in the 10th minute; Pio Esposito equalised in the 26th, from Nicolò Cambiaghi's assist, and Davide Frattesi put Italy ahead in the 63rd, set up by Federico Dimarco. Pio Esposito completed the scoring with a penalty in the 75th minute, so it was 1–1 at half-time and 3–1 at full-time.

Key points

Final score: Italy 3, France 1 — at San Siro, Milan, in Nations League Group A1.
Olise (10') put France ahead; Pio Esposito (26') levelled, Frattesi (63') put Italy in front and Pio Esposito's penalty (75') sealed it.
Sebastiano Esposito missed a penalty for Italy at 1–1 before his brother scored from the spot.

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Italy go top of Group A1, level with France on 10 points; a first defeat for Zinedine Zidane as France manager.

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What happened

France had won every game under Zidane except last month's 1–1 draw with Italy in Paris, and arrived at San Siro top of the group. They led through Olise's early goal, but Italy — playing the Esposito brothers together up front — turned the match in the second half and now hold top spot going into Sunday's final round.

Match facts — all verified

✓ VerifiedItaly beat France 3–1 at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza (San Siro) in Milan on Thursday 12 November 2026 in UEFA Nations League League A, Group 1, Matchday 5. Michael Olise put France ahead in the 10th minute; Pio Esposito equalised in the 26th, from Nicolò Cambiaghi's assist, and Davide Frattesi put Italy ahead in the 63rd, set up by Federico Dimarco. Pio Esposito completed the scoring with a penalty in the 75th minute, so it was 1–1 at half-time and 3–1 at full-time.Sportradar — Italy v France match record, UEFA Nations League A1 Matchday 5, 12 Nov 2026 · Flashscore — Italy down France to go top of Nations League Group A1 in Zidane's first loss as boss (12 Nov 2026)
✓ VerifiedSebastiano Esposito, Pio's brother, missed a penalty for Italy around the hour mark, at 1–1. Italy were awarded a second penalty after Dayot Upamecano fouled substitute Antonio Vergara, and Pio Esposito converted it in the 75th minute to complete his brace.Flashscore — Italy down France to go top of Nations League Group A1 in Zidane's first loss as boss (12 Nov 2026) · Football Italia — Italy vs France: Nations League Matchday 5 liveblog (12 Nov 2026)
✓ VerifiedFrance began the night top of Group A1 on 10 points, with Italy second on seven. The win lifts Italy to 10 points, level with France, and puts them top of the group on goal difference with one match to play; it is also Zinedine Zidane's first defeat as France manager.Flashscore — Italy down France to go top of Nations League Group A1 in Zidane's first loss as boss (12 Nov 2026) · Athlon Sports — Italy vs France player ratings (12 Nov 2026)
✓ VerifiedItaly close their group campaign away to Belgium on Sunday 15 November, and France host Türkiye the same day; the top two in the group reach the Nations League quarter-finals.UEFA — 2026/27 UEFA Nations League league phase fixtures and results by team · Flashscore — Italy down France to go top of Nations League Group A1 in Zidane's first loss as boss (12 Nov 2026)

What we know / what we don't know yet

What we know

The score, the scorers and the group position, from the match data record, with match reports in agreement.

What we don't know yet

An official highlights video of this match — none was verified on UEFA's or the federations' official channels at publish time, so no video is attached.

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VerifiedManchester United announced on Thursday that Michael Carrick has departed his role as men's first-team head coach. In its statement the club said: “After a disappointing start to the season, the club has come to the extremely difficult conclusion that a change is necessary in order to achieve our ambitions.” It called Carrick “a Manchester United legend” and said it “intends to appoint a permanent successor as quickly as possible”. No successor was named.
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