France marked Zinédine Zidane’s return to the Stade de France with a 1-1 draw against Italy in the Nations League on Friday night.
The contest ended without a winner as Les Bleus were unable to find the decisive goal against their old rivals. France matched Italy over the course of the evening, but the result leaves the hosts with a point rather than the statement victory they had hoped to deliver in Saint-Denis.
Zidane back at the Stade de France
The occasion carried an added sense of history with Zidane returning to the national stadium. The former France great was back at the venue for a Nations League fixture that brought together two of European football’s most decorated international sides.
France and Italy each scored once, with neither team able to break the deadlock again before the final whistle.
France held by Italy
The 1-1 scoreline reflects a tightly balanced match in which France could not pull clear despite playing at home. The result ensures that both teams take a point from the Nations League meeting.
