France had won their first three Nations League matches before Italy came to Paris, but they were held to a 1-1 draw after Michael Olise scored a superb free kick and Alessandro Bastoni replied. Dayot Upamecano then saw red late on, and France dropped their first points of the campaign.
Olise gives France the lead
Olise’s goal was the kind of moment that can make a home crowd sit up. In the 55th minute, his free kick bounced in off the underside of the crossbar, and SPORT1 commentator Stefan Galler called it, "What a hit. A sensational goal. Curled over the wall, straight against the underside. No chance at all, no reaction from (Gianluigi, ed. note) Donnarumma," quoted in German by SPORT1.
The finish fit what he has already done in this competition. Olise has now scored 2 goals in 3 UEFA Nations League appearances this season, and his 7.87 Nations League rating has matched the eye test better than most France attackers in the tournament.
Bastoni and Upamecano swing the game back
France did not hold that lead for long. Bastoni equalised in the 68th minute after Lucas Da Cunha lost the ball under pressure, and the Italian defender kept his recent attacking return rolling with another goal from a set piece moment.
The closing stages got messier for France when Upamecano picked up a second yellow card in the 85th minute and was sent off. Italy left with a point, while France were left with their first dropped points of the competition.
Bastoni now has 2 goals in 2 Nations League appearances, which is a strong return for a centre-back and part of why Italy never felt out of the game for long.
Written by Sam Whitfield with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 6 outlets. How we work →
