France vs Italy Nations League Draw: Standings, Zidane Debut and Camavinga Impact

Match Result and Key Moments

On 2 October 2026, France and Italy played to a 1‑1 draw at the Stade de France. Al Jazeera reports that Michael Olise opened the scoring in the 55th minute after a free‑kick routine that saw Rayan Cherki lay off a dead ball for Olise to strike from the edge of the box [1]. Later in the second half, Inter Milan defender Alessandro Bastoni pounced on a loose ball outside the French penalty area and finished calmly to level the match. The game featured several chances for both sides, with Italy’s Moise Kean hitting the post early on and France’s Ousmane Dembele forcing a save from Gianluigi Donnarumma.

UEFA Nations League Group A1 Standings

The draw left France at the top of Group A1 with seven points. Belgium followed with six points after a 3‑0 victory over Turkiye, while Italy sat third with four points ahead of its upcoming match against Turkiye. Al Jazeera notes that France’s lead came despite a late red card for defender Dayot Upamecano, which reduced the hosts to ten men for the final ten minutes [1]. The group consists of four teams, and the remaining fixtures will decide who advances to the Nations League semifinals.

Zinedine Zidane’s Home Debut

Zinedine Zidane made his first home appearance as France head coach before a crowd of 77,118 at the Stade de France. The match marked his return to the stadium since the 2006 World Cup final, where he was sent off for a head‑butt on Marco Materazzi. Zidane entered the game without injured star Kylian Mbappe, who had returned to his club after a knee‑injury suffered in the Turkiye fixture. The former Real Madrid playmaker expressed his intention to imprint his philosophy on the squad while keeping one eye on the Euro 2028 qualifiers.

Eduardo Camavinga’s Brief Impact

Real Madrid midfielder Eduardo Camavinga was introduced as a substitute for Rayan Cherki in the 75th minute. Managing Madrid reports that he played approximately fifteen minutes, during which he attempted two long‑range shots from outside the box that prompted saves from Italy’s goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma [2]. Camavinga also contributed defensively, tracking back after Upamecano’s dismissal and helping to maintain shape in midfield. His cameo was seen as a promising sign for the young French midfielder’s development under Zidane’s guidance.

What Comes Next

France will face Belgium on Monday in the final match of this international window, while Italy will host Turkiye. A victory for France against Belgium would secure top spot in Group A1, whereas a loss could allow Belgium to overtake them. Italy needs a win over Turkiye to stay in contention for a semifinals berth. The current standings may shift after those fixtures, keeping the race for the Nations League knockout stage open.