Nations League: Italy beat France 3-1 for Zidane’s first defeat
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on La Nouvelle Tribune
Italy beat France 3-1 at San Siro on Thursday 12 November 2026, inflicting Zinédine Zidane’s first defeat as manager of Les Bleus. The Italians had not beaten France at home since 1962, according to LaPresse, as reported by La Nouvelle Tribune.
France took the lead through Michael Olise before Italy turned the match around, with Davide Frattesi notably putting the Italians ahead from a pass by Dimarco. Les Bleus, without Kylian Mbappé, subsequently lost control of the match, while Kroupi and Mayulu made their first appearances for the French national team during the late substitutions, La Nouvelle Tribune reports.
Italy had not beaten France at home since 1962 and were coming off three consecutive defeats at San Siro, against Germany, France and Norway. The two sides had drawn 1-1 at the Stade de France on 2 October in their previous meeting.
France must now secure qualification for the quarter-finals against Turkey on Sunday, on the final day of the Nations League. The match follows the reported rift between Mbappé and Zidane reported on 12 November and the absence of twelve French players for France-Italy, also published on 12 November.
