The Stade de France had a familiar pulse under Zinedine Zidane, with France pressing high, moving the ball quickly and creating enough chances to put Italy away. Instead, a costly turnover and a late red card left Les Bleus with a draw that felt short of the control they had shown for much of the night.
France create the better moments
- Italy threatened first in the ninth minute, when Mike Maignan made an important stop from Moise Kean. Pierre Kalulu had been caught out by Kean on that early opening, but recovered to deliver a generally disciplined display at right-back.
- Jérémy Jacquet again looked assured after his strong outing against Belgium. The defender pushed high to disrupt Italian build-up play, won his duels and made a significant intervention in the 29th minute. His partnership with Dayot Upamecano was one of France’s most encouraging features.
- Michael Olise struck the crossbar in the 23rd minute before Rayan Cherki produced a brighter moment four minutes later, winning possession and using the outside of his boot to launch an attack.
- France continued to find spaces. Désiré Doué had the first major French chance after the interval, while Ousmane Dembélé missed a one-on-one against Gianluigi Donnarumma in the 49th minute. The France captain worked hard without the ball, but his attempts were repeatedly blocked, off target or stopped by his former Paris Saint-Germain team-mate.
- Olise had already tested Donnarumma again when he gave France the lead in the 56th minute, curling in an outstanding free-kick after Cherki had drawn the foul. The Bayern Munich forward was France’s main attacking spark, combining technique, availability and defensive effort to help Kalulu when required.
- The match turned in the 68th minute. Lucas Da Cunha, calm and tidy in possession until then during his second consecutive start as the holding midfielder, lost the ball in a damaging area. Italy took advantage and levelled, with Maignan unable to prevent the finish.
- Adrien Rabiot remained busy at both ends, getting forward to offer an option and forcing a save with a shot in the 70th minute. He also helped deal with Italian attacks, although his pass to Da Cunha before the equaliser put his team-mate under pressure.
- Zidane introduced Eduardo Camavinga and Bradley Barcola in the 77th minute, replacing Cherki and Doué. Camavinga was also denied by an excellent Donnarumma.
- Maignan made another sharp save in the 81st minute and was proactive in coming off his line to relieve pressure on his defence. Yet France finished with 10 men after Upamecano was sent off in the 86th minute, a dismissal that marred an otherwise imposing display from the centre-back.
Olise shines, but late trouble changes the mood
Olise was France’s standout attacking performer, constantly involved in the game and capable of producing the decisive touch from a dead ball. Cherki grew into the match after a cautious opening, linking well with Olise and helping create the free-kick that brought the opening goal, though he occasionally held on to the ball too long.
Doué was less dazzling than he had been against Belgium, initially losing a few dribbles before becoming cleaner technically. Dembélé’s pressing and willingness to serve the team remained valuable, but the captain did not find the finishing touch.
On the left, Adrien Truffert won most of his individual battles and repeatedly offered an outlet going forward. Kalulu was more stretched late on and provided fewer attacking options, but he largely held his position after the difficult early moment against Kean.
Zidane’s bold midfield nearly pays off
Zidane’s return to the Stade de France brought an adventurous selection and a midfield built around technical security, with Da Cunha and Cherki both trusted from the start. France’s pressing, movement and volume of opportunities suggested the approach was working.
However, the Italian equaliser and Upamecano’s avoidable late dismissal took the edge off the evening. The France coach may also reflect on whether earlier changes could have helped prevent Italy’s late resurgence.
Upamecano had been outstanding before his red card, producing forceful recoveries that earned applause from the crowd. Together with Jacquet, he had given France a solid central platform — until the closing minutes altered the final impression.
