Italy 1-1 France – Bastoni Delivers at Both Ends

Inter defender Alessandro Bastoni scored Italy’s equaliser in a 1-1 Nations League draw with France in Paris, then made a vital late intervention to help secure the result.

According to Football Italia’s match report, Michael Olise put France ahead in the 55th minute before Bastoni levelled 13 minutes later. Dayot Upamecano was sent off in the 85th minute after receiving a second yellow card.

Michael Olise in action for France against Norway.

Italy made two changes from the side that beat Türkiye 4-1, with Riccardo Calafiori and Moise Kean returning to the starting lineup. France had more possession, 65 per cent to Italy’s 35, and more shots, but Italy registered eight efforts on target compared with France’s two.

Pio Esposito featured in a first-half chance, knocking down a long Michael Kayode throw-in for Davide Frattesi to shoot. The report records that contribution but does not offer an overall assessment of the young forward’s display.

Bastoni’s goal and decisive defensive moment

Italy’s equaliser came after Antonio Vergara’s counter-attack was blocked. Bastoni surged forward from defence, took advantage of Lucas Da Cunha losing possession and fired in from the edge of the area.

The strike ended France’s run of clean sheets against Italy, which had stretched back to their 0-0 draw in September 2007. It was also the first goal France had conceded under coach Zinedine Zidane, according to the match report.

Bastoni’s impact extended beyond the goal. In stoppage time, he slid in to challenge Olise as France appealed for a penalty; the appeal was rejected. The intervention capped a decisive performance from the Inter centre-back, whose importance to the Nerazzurri has been reflected in his 300-appearance milestone for Inter.

The supplied match report does not assess Federico Dimarco or assign Pio Esposito a rating, so neither can be included as a point of criticism on this evidence. Italy left Paris with a draw after responding to Olise’s opener, while Bastoni provided both the equaliser and a crucial contribution at the other end.