Italy 1-3 France | UEFA Nations League | Post Match

France snatched top spot in the UEFA Nations League Group 2 from Italy's grasp on Sunday evening as they secured a 3-1 victory in Milan, courtesy of three goals delivered by set-piece specialist Lucas Digne.

After failing to score against Israel last time out, it took France just two minutes to find the breakthrough at the San Siro, as Digne's outswinging corner was met by Adrien Rabiot, who climbed highest and placed his header into the far corner, beating Federico Dimarco's attempted goal line clearance and handing Les Bleus the dream start.

France doubled their lead 30 minutes later, with Digne involved once again on his 50th cap, striking a spectacular long-range free kick toward the top left corner, with his effort ricocheting off the crossbar, then off Guglielmo Vicario, and into the net, marking an unfortunate own-goal for the Italian keeper.

Italy responded almost instantly as Dimarco showed great determination to win the ball after his initial misplaced pass, delivering an inviting cross into the box that found fellow full-back Andrea Cambiaso at the back post, and his left-footed volley was placed across goal into the bottom corner, giving the hosts a lifeline.

Digne combined with Rabiot once again 20 minutes into the second half as France almost directly replicated their opening goal, with Digne delivering an outswinging cross, albeit from a freekick near the corner flag this time around, that Rabiot redirected into the top right corner, restoring France's two-goal cushion.

Italy battled to pull a goal back in the final minutes as they looked to secure their progression to the Nations League quarter-finals as Group 2 winners, with Moise Kean coming closest late on, but Mike Maignan made a superb save to ensure Les Bleus finished in pole position.