Zinedine Zidane made a symbolic return to the Stade de France 20 years on, this time in the dugout as head coach of France. The emotional Nations League clash with Italy ended in a 1-1 draw after an entertaining contest in Paris.

France started with an aggressive high press, but it was Italy who created the first major opportunity. Moise Kean somehow failed to convert from close range, with Mike Maignan producing an excellent save to deny the forward. Kean then appeared to have found the net, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside.

The hosts finally broke the deadlock in the 55th minute. Rayan Cherki and Michael Olise combined brilliantly from a free-kick, with Olise producing a superb strike that clipped the underside of the crossbar before finding the back of the net. Gianluigi Donnarumma had no chance.

Italy responded in the 68th minute as Alessandro Bastoni fired home to restore parity. The visitors then had reason to believe they could take control of the closing stages, particularly after Dayot Upamecano was shown a second yellow card and France were reduced to 10 men.

UEFA Nations League 2026-27

France - Italy 1:1 (0:0)
Goals: Olise, 55 (1:0); Bastoni, 68 (1:1)

France: Maignan; Kalulu; Truffert; Upamecano (till 85); Jacquet; Olise; Rabiot; Da Cunha (Lacroix M., 87); Cherki (Camavinga, 76); Doue D. (Barcola B., 76); Dembele O.
Substitution: Camavinga (from 76); Barcola B. (from 76); Lacroix M. (from 87)
Bench: Restes; Butez; Kounde; Yoro; Koné M.; Akliouche; Diouf A.; Lepaul
Yellow Cards: Upamecano 73, 85
Red cards: Upamecano 85'

Italy: Donnarumma G.; Kayode M.; Calafiori; Bastoni; Scalvini; Tonali (Barella, 62); Fagioli (Scamacca, 90); Frattesi (Doumbia, 80); Pio Esposito (Vergara A., 62); Kean M.; Esposito Se. (Maldini D., 80)
Substitution: Barella (from 62); Vergara A. (from 62); Doumbia (from 80); Maldini D. (from 80); Scamacca (from 90)
Bench: Carnesecchi; Vicario G.; Ruggeri; Di Lorenzo; Mancini G.; Ricci S.; Zoma
Yellow Cards: Fagioli 54; Kean M. 73; Vergara A. 82; Bastoni 90