Italy 3-1 France: Azzurri celebrate ‘almost unbelievable’ Nations League victory

Italian media have hailed the national team’s 3-1 victory over France in the Nations League as the start of a new era for the Azzurri, only months after their failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.

Italy have missed the past three World Cup finals, but found plenty to celebrate at San Siro after overcoming France despite what had been viewed as a significant gap between the two squads.

France, fourth at the 2026 World Cup, travelled to Milan on Thursday seeking the win that would secure top spot in Group A of Path One. Despite taking an early lead under coach Zinedine Zidane, they were eventually overturned by a determined Italy side.

The comeback moved Italy to the top of the group on 10 points, ahead of France on head-to-head record.

“For Italy, this is an incredible achievement and almost difficult to believe,” RMC correspondent in Italy Daniele Manusia said. “From our point of view, France are the best team in the world in terms of players. Italy are not in the same world as France when it comes to individual ability, but they found a way to win through their style of play.”

‘A new Mancini era’

La Gazzetta dello Sport marked what it described as a fresh beginning under Roberto Mancini with the headline “Italy trembles”.

The newspaper also used the torrential conditions at San Siro to capture the chaotic opening to the match.

“Have you ever tried playing football in a swimming pool?” it asked.

“This is how Italy’s first 10 minutes looked: water everywhere. The rain was pouring and France were pressing hard. They drowned and suffocated us. Chances were raining down what a downpour of opportunities. It could have looked like the start of a nightmare, but France eased off a little and Italy regained their balance.”

La Gazzetta identified Sebastiano Esposito’s missed penalty in the 59th minute as the turning point.

“Everyone thought the same thing: it’s over, the match is turning,” it wrote. “And it did turn in Italy’s favour. Italy began to control the game, and San Siro started to believe we had beaten the best team in the world and that a new Mancini era had officially begun.”

‘Italy regain their greatness’

La Repubblica declared that “Italy regain their greatness”, while Corriere della Sera described the result as evidence that the national team was beginning to return to prominence.

The newspaper urged readers not to diminish the victory because of France’s circumstances.

“Some people in bars, on trams and trains will tell you Italy always win when matches matter least, and that France, without Mbappe and Dembele, will finish top of the group,” it wrote. “That may be true, but so what?”

“Eight months ago, we were stranded in Zenica with no way out. Now San Siro is shaking with joy in the rain, as if this Italy team beating France at home for the first time since 1962, when Altafini scored twice had always been there and had never stumbled.”

Corriere della Sera said the squad offered clear signs that a new generation could be built, highlighting Pio, Kayode, Calafiori, Cambiaghi, Scalvini and Vergara. The team’s average age is 25, it added, and its performance offered hope for the future and for the four stars on the Azzurri shirt.