Italy stuns France 3-1 to claim Nations League group lead

Francesco Pio Esposito proved decisive for the Italians, scoring twice as the hosts overturned a one-goal deficit to secure a commanding victory in Milan. The result marks an impressive start to Zidane's tenure as France manager, who took charge of the team earlier this month.

France appeared to be on course for a winning start when they took the lead in the first half. However, Italy's response in the second period proved far too strong for the visitors, with Esposito's brace complemented by another goal to seal the three-point haul.

The victory moves Italy to the summit of their UEFA Nations League group, accumulating maximum points from their opening fixture. The performance demonstrated Italy's resilience and attacking prowess after trailing at the break, with the San Siro crowd playing a role in spurring the home side forward.

France, despite the setback, remains well-positioned in the group and will look to bounce back in their next fixture. Zidane's side showed they can compete with quality opposition, though the defensive vulnerabilities exposed in Milan will require attention.