France snatched top spot in the UEFA Nations League Group 2 from Italy's grasp on Sunday evening as they secured a 3-1 victory in Milan, courtesy of three goals delivered by set-piece specialist Lucas Digne.
After failing to score against Israel last time out, it took France just two minutes to find the breakthrough at the San Siro, as Digne's outswinging corner was met by Adrien Rabiot, who climbed highest and placed his header into the far corner, beating Federico Dimarco's attempted goal line clearance and handing Les Bleus the dream start.
France doubled their lead 30 minutes later, with Digne involved once again on his 50th cap, striking a spectacular long-range free kick toward the top left corner, with his effort ricocheting off the crossbar, then off Guglielmo Vicario, and into the net, marking an unfortunate own-goal for the Italian keeper.
Italy responded almost instantly as Dimarco showed great determination to win the ball after his initial misplaced pass, delivering an inviting cross into the box that found fellow full-back Andrea Cambiaso at the back post, and his left-footed volley was placed across goal into the bottom corner, giving the hosts a lifeline.
Digne combined with Rabiot once again 20 minutes into the second half as France almost directly replicated their opening goal, with Digne delivering an outswinging cross, albeit from a freekick near the corner flag this time around, that Rabiot redirected into the top right corner, restoring France's two-goal cushion.
Italy battled to pull a goal back in the final minutes as they looked to secure their progression to the Nations League quarter-finals as Group 2 winners, with Moise Kean coming closest late on, but Mike Maignan made a superb save to ensure Les Bleus finished in pole position.
ITALY VS. FRANCE HIGHLIGHTS
Adrien Rabiot goal vs. Italy (2nd min, Italy 0-1 France)
© Imago
Rabiot has silenced the San Siro, France take the lead just two minutes in!
Digne sends an outswinging corner into the area, finding Rabiot unmarked just inside the six-yard box, and the midfielder glances a header towards the back post.
Dimarco tries to swoop in and head the ball clear, but despite his best efforts, the defender is unable to steer the ball away as it finds the roof of the net, giving France an early lead.
Guglielmo Vicario own-goal vs. Italy (32nd min, Italy 0-2 France)
© Imago
France have doubled their lead, so unfortunate for Vicario.
Digne lines up a long-range free kick, unleashing a powerful shot that flies towards the top left corner, only to hit the crossbar, deflect off Vicario, and back into the net.
Vicario will be disappointed to be credited with the own goal, but there was nothing the keeper could have done about it - absolutely superb from Digne though.
Andrea Cambiaso goal vs. France (35th min, Italy 1-2 France)
© Imago
Just over two minutes later, Italy are right back in it!
Dimarco does brilliantly to win the ball back high up the pitch after initially misplacing his pass, linking up with Sandro Tonali for a one-two, receiving the ball just inside the box and right on the byline.
Dimarco floats an inviting cross into the centre of the area, where Davide Frattesi misses the header, but the ball falls to Cambiaso, who volleys his strike back across goal and into the net.
Adrien Rabiot goal vs. Italy (65th min, Italy 1-3 France)
© Imago
It is them two again, Rabiot and Digne punishing Italy at the San Siro!
Digne once again delivers an outswinging cross into the box, this time from a free kick near the corner flag, finding Rabiot's head in the centre of the Italy penalty area.
Rabiot perfectly meets the cross and directs his header into the top right corner, a sensational effort from the midfielder and almost a direct copy of the opening goal.
MAN OF THE MATCH - LUCAS DIGNE
© Imago
Digne presented exactly why he has earned 50 caps for France tonight, three times providing the goods from set-pieces as he had a major hand in all three of the visitors' goals.
The full-back twice assisted Rabiot, who scored the first and third goals for Les Bleus, while also taking the free-kick that ricocheted off the crossbar and then off Vicario for France's second, although the goal was unfortunately not credited to him.
Digne was also outstanding in defence for France, making four tackles, one interception, and two clearances to help secure the 3-1 victory, helping Les Bleus to leapfrog Italy and claim top spot in Group 2.
ITALY VS. FRANCE MATCH STATS
Possession: Italy 54%-46% France
Shots: Italy 10-6 France
Shots on target: Italy 4-4 France
Corners: Italy 3-3 France
Fouls: Italy 20-13 France
WHAT NEXT?
France's 3-1 victory sees them claim the top spot in League A Group 2, edging out Italy on goal difference, with the visitors holding a +6 compared to the hosts' +5.
As for Italy, the two-goal defeat sees them drop from pole position in the group for the first time, though they will still progress to the quarter-finals in second place.
Ellis Stevens
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