Nations League: France held to draw by Italy despite Olise's goal

In his first home match as coach, Zinedine Zidane saw his France team held to a 1-1 draw by Italy in the UEFA Nations League on Friday, October 2, 2026. Following two consecutive victories in away games, the draw marked a disappointing return to the Stade de France.

Michael Olise, who had scored a stunning goal just four days prior in a 1-0 win over Belgium, again showcased his exceptional talent. He opened the scoring early in the second half with a remarkable free-kick that hit the crossbar and went in. However, Italy's Alessandro Bastoni equalized midway through the second half, denying Zidane a third straight victory in charge of the national team.

The match, attended by 77,118 fans, was significant as it marked Zidane's first home game since his return as coach and came against the same team with which he had his last playing appearance in 2006. Zidane expressed his delight at being back but lamented the missed opportunities, stating he was proud of his players despite the result.

France remained at the top of UEFA Nations League Group A1 with seven points, while Belgium followed closely with six after their 3-0 victory over Turkey. France's next match is against Belgium on Monday, marking the end of this two-week international window. Italy, who currently have four points, will host Turkey next.

Zidane, who is also looking toward the Euro 2028 tournament, indicated his satisfaction with the performance but emphasized the need to convert chances into goals. The team played without captain Kylian Mbappe, who was sidelined due to a knee injury sustained during the previous match against Turkey.

Despite the draw, Italy's coach Roberto Mancini noted the positives, indicating that his team was on the right track, especially after a challenging few years without qualifying for the last three World Cups. Mancini praised his goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma for his impressive saves that kept Italy in the game, and he reflected on the team's collective effort against a high-caliber opponent.

Moise Kean's early opportunity for Italy was thwarted by France’s Mike Maignan, while Olise's strike was the best chance for the hosts before they took the lead. After Olise's goal, a lapse in defense allowed Bastoni to score, leveling the match and ultimately ending Zidane's home debut in a draw.