Italy beat France 3-1 at San Siro and moved top of the Nations League group on 10 points, ahead on head-to-head. It was a major result on its own, ending a wait that had lasted since May 1962 for a home win over France. Mancini's reaction kept the night in perspective, though, and Zidane took much the same line from the other side after his first defeat in charge.

Mancini, quoted by football-italia.net, said: "There are too many wonderful moments, unfortunately this victory counts to a certain degree, because we need to go and win in Belgium anyway, so football is incredible."

That felt like the right tone. Italy and France both sit on 10 points with identical 3W-1D-1L records, so a 3-1 win this big still does not close the group.

Italy's comeback changed the night, not the maths

The game itself deserved the noise around it. Michael Olise put France ahead inside the opening 10 minutes after an error from Gianluigi Donnarumma, but Italy did not lose control. Francesco Pio Esposito equalised, Davide Frattesi put Italy in front, and Pio Esposito later added a penalty.

Mancini's reading of the response matched the flow of the game. Speaking to football-italia.net, he said: "The goal was an error, unfortunately these things happen. We managed to stay calm, continued playing, and eventually thoroughly deserved the victory."

That last point is where the match gets interesting. Italy were not clearly superior for every minute, and Zidane had a fair case when he pointed to France's possession and chances. But once the game turned, Italy looked the more coherent side and controlled the second half far better.

The result also carried historical weight without needing any exaggeration. Italy had not beaten France on home soil since May 1962, so San Siro got a night that will stick. It also gave a young side one of the better reference points of Mancini's spell.

Quoted in French by football-italia.net, in comments translated from French, Mancini said: "It was a very important match because we are a young team, it is very important. It is the kind of very important match for Italy, so that it can find again its level that it has in history."

Pio Esposito's campaign is becoming a serious part of that story. He now has 4 goals in 5 Nations League appearances, and Italy got both the equaliser and the insurance goal from him on a night that demanded composure.

Zidane's response keeps France in the race

Zidane's first defeat as France coach was significant, but not because it suddenly put the whole project in doubt. The more revealing part was that he saw flaws in the second half without treating the result as a collapse.

Quoted in French by football-italia.net, in comments translated from French, Zidane said: "I am far from worried. That is part of football, it is also having moments like that to learn to react. It is better to have these moments now; It is not a bad match, there were complicated moments, but there you go, that means that there is an area for improvement. We had chances, possession, and defensively we were less good. It was more fragile as the match went on. It is a defeat, but not a totally deserved defeat. We will analyse all that. We will rest and we will refocus on the last match that we have left."

That is probably a fair summary of France's night. They were dangerous early, got in front, and had enough of the ball to argue the scoreline was harsh. They also lost defensive control as the match wore on, which fits the view that this was not about one mistake or one moment.

France are still very much alive in the group, and Italy know that too. Mancini got the statement win, Zidane got a reminder of what his side still lack, and the table remains tight with both teams on 10 points.

The biggest fact from San Siro is simple: Italy vs France finished 3-1, Italy went top on head-to-head, and Mancini still came out of it talking about Belgium.

FAQ

Will Italy still need a result in Belgium after beating France?

Yes. Italy beat France 3-1 at San Siro and moved top of the group on 10 points thanks to a superior head-to-head record, but the section is still open. Mancini said Italy need to go and win in Belgium anyway, and the sources make clear the group is not mathematically finished.

Why was Italy's win over France important if the group is not over?

The win mattered for two reasons. Italy went top of the Nations League group on 10 points, and they also ended a long wait for a home win over France, having not beaten them on home soil since May 1962. Mancini also framed it as a big result for a young Italy side.

Is Zinedine Zidane worried after France lost to Italy?

No. After his first defeat as France coach, Zidane said he was far from worried and described the loss as part of the process. He said France had chances and possession, but were weaker defensively and more fragile as the match went on, especially in the second half.

Did Italy fully dominate France from start to finish?

Not quite. Italy were the stronger side by the end and Mancini said they thoroughly deserved the victory, especially after the way they controlled the second half. France still had chances and possession, which Zidane pointed out afterward, so the clearest reading is that Italy finished better rather than owned every minute.

Written by Sam Whitfield with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 4 outlets. How we work →