France draw with Italy in Zidane’s Stade de France return

France missed the chance to mark Zinédine Zidane’s return to the Stade de France with a victory, settling for a point against Italy in the Nations League. The result leaves the two sides sharing the rewards after France had taken control for long periods.

Michael Olise put France ahead in the 55th minute with a left-footed strike from a set-piece routine, the ball reaching the net after hitting the crossbar. Italy equalised 13 minutes later when Alessandro Bastoni intercepted possession and finished past Mike Maignan. France then failed to restore its lead, while Dayot Upamecano was sent off after receiving a second yellow card in the 85th minute.

Maignan had earlier denied Moise Kean from close range, and Gianluigi Donnarumma made important saves from Désiré Doué, Ousmane Dembélé and Adrien Rabiot. Both teams had eight attempts before the interval, underlining the balance of a first half in which neither side converted its opportunities.

Zidane made six changes to the team that started against Belgium, including the returns of Upamecano, Rayan Cherki, Rabiot, Olise and Dembélé. France will face Belgium again on Monday at the Stade de France in its final match of the international break.