Italy 1-3 France: Rabiot, Digne combine to clinch top spot

France secured top spot in Nations League Group A2 as they beat Italy 3-1 thanks in large part to the efforts of Adrien Rabiot and Lucas Digne.

Rabiot headed home twice at San Siro on Sunday, each time from excellent Digne dead-ball deliveries.

Digne also played a pivotal role in France's second goal, with his exceptional free-kick clattering the crossbar and bouncing in off the unfortunate Guglielmo Vicario.

And though Italy hit back through Andrea Cambiaso just two minutes after Vicario's own goal to make it 2-1, they could not find a second wind after Rabiot had restored Les Bleus' two-goal cushion midway through the second half.

Mike Maignan, playing in his home stadium, made a fantastic save from Moise Kean deep into stoppage time to preserve France's advantage and ensure Didier Deschamps' side, who were frustrated by Israel last time out, kept hold of top spot.

The result means France, who did not feel Kylian Mbappe's absence this time out as they had done against Israel, will be seeded in the quarter-finals draw, with those matches to be played in March.

?? ?? ??? ???????-??????! A 3-1 win over Italy and our Bleus finish ??? of their Nations League group #ITAFRA | #FiersdetreBleus pic.twitter.com/zXj6VnEeYB

— French Team (@FrenchTeam) November 17, 2024

Data Debrief: Delight for Digne and Rabiot

Both playing for France for the 50th time, Digne and Rabiot were the stars of the show as Les Bleus gained revenge for their 3-1 defeat to Italy on home soil back in September.

Rabiot's first goal – a fine header from a brilliant Digne corner – came after just one minute and 59 seconds, marking the earliest goal Italy have conceded in a home match since Opta began recording such data in 2008. It was also France's fastest goal in an away match since a Patrick Battiston effort in a 4-0 win over Luxembourg in October 1984.

France scored three goals from set-pieces in a match for the first time since 1991, when they netted three times from dead-ball situations against Albania.

Les Bleus have now won each of their last three away matches against Italy, more than in their first 14.

Italy may feel hard done by given they had more shots (10 to six) and accumulated a higher expected goals figure (0.7 xG to 0.4), but France's deadly double act of Digne and Rabiot were worthy matchwinners.