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Italy snatches point in Zidane's home debut for France

Mancini's side put up a tough fight against the French and are rewarded. Belgium thrash Turkey.

Italy snatches point in Zidane's home debut for France Photo: © IMAGO / Sebastian Frej
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France cannot celebrate a full victory in new head coach Zinedine Zidane's home debut. Despite largely dominating, they only manage a 1-1 draw against Italy.

The opening phase belongs to France, with Zidane's side enjoying plenty of possession. However, the Italians have the best goalscoring opportunity: Kean fails to beat Maignan from close range after a square pass (9').

Italian Probes

France become truly dangerous for the first time in the 23rd minute. Olise crosses into the middle after a corner, and Tonali deflects the ball onto the crossbar.

Italy do not often get forward, but when they do, they are dangerous. After a counter-attack, Frattesi's deflected shot goes just wide (40'). From the subsequent corner, the ball even finds the net, but Kean is offside (41').

Shortly after the break, Donnarumma makes two crucial saves: first parrying a shot from Doue and then the rebound from Dembele (48').

Olise with a wonder goal

France press for the lead. It eventually comes - and what a goal! Cherki plays a short free-kick just outside the box, and Olise hammers the ball precisely into the top right corner via the crossbar (55').

Zidane's team continues in the same vein, creating chances – yet still concedes the 1-1. After a fatal defensive blunder, Bastoni intercepts the ball and scores the equalizer (68').

Upamecano takes an early shower

However, the French continue to dominate proceedings, with Italy lurking for counter-attacks. In the closing stages, Donnarumma saves his team with a magnificent stop from Camavinga's long-range shot (84').

Shortly after, the game is over for Upamecano: the already booked centre-back brings Kean down and receives a second yellow card (85').

But France continues to press, and again Donnarumma saves against Camavinga (90'+2). In the end, it remains 1-1.

Zidane's side now leads the table with seven points, while Italy is third with four points.

Belgium secure clear victory against Turkey

The "Red Devils" win 3-0 at home against the Turks.

De Bruyne gives his team the lead after just ten minutes. The Turks then come into the game but miss the equalizer. De Bruyne punishes this with the 2-0 in the 59th minute, scoring with a delicate shot from the edge of the box.

Lukaku eventually seals the win (76'). This puts Belgium just one point behind France in second place. Turkey remains last with no points.

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You can find the original LAOLA1 article here.