Aston Villa’s Lucas Digne emerged as the unexpected hero for France, orchestrating a compelling 3-1 victory over Italy at the iconic San Siro on Sunday. The win, achieved without the services of talisman Kylian Mbappé, saw Les Bleus dramatically overtake Italy to claim top spot in their Nations League group on goal difference.
The evening belonged to Digne, who demonstrated his exceptional dead-ball expertise by having a hand in all three French goals, forming a lethal partnership with Adrien Rabiot that the Italians simply couldn’t contain. The match, while already assured of quarter-final places for both teams, carried the significant prize of group leadership, with France requiring a two-goal margin to usurp their hosts.
The visitors wasted no time in pursuing their objective, breaking the deadlock within two minutes through a perfectly executed set-piece routine. Digne’s precise corner found the head of Rabiot, who expertly guided the ball beyond Tottenham goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, setting the tone for what would become a set-piece masterclass.
Despite Italy’s attempts to wrestle control of the game, France’s aggressive pressing strategy effectively disrupted the hosts’ rhythm. The match took another dramatic turn when Christopher Nkunku was fouled outside the Italian penalty area, presenting Digne with an opportunity he seized with both hands. His masterfully struck free-kick struck the underside of the crossbar, deflected off Vicario’s back, and nestled into the net, doubling France’s advantage in spectacular fashion.
Italy, showing characteristic resilience, quickly responded through Andrea Cambiaso. The midfielder connected perfectly with Federico Dimarco’s cross, which had eluded Davide Frattesi, to volley past Mike Maignan and breathe new life into the contest. What followed was a sustained period of Italian pressure, though they ultimately failed to find an equalizer before the interval.
The second half witnessed history repeating itself as the Digne-Rabiot connection once again proved decisive. In a move reminiscent of their opening goal, Digne’s pinpoint delivery found Rabiot, who headed home to restore France’s two-goal cushion. Despite Italy’s subsequent all-out offensive approach, knowing they needed to protect their goal difference to maintain top spot, France’s defense held firm to secure the crucial victory.
For Didier Deschamps, the performance of Digne provided a welcome selection headache ahead of future fixtures. The Aston Villa defender, who has been in exceptional form under Unai Emery this season, made a compelling case for regular inclusion in the starting lineup, potentially challenging Theo Hernandez for the left-back position. His defensive solidity against the threats of Frattesi and Cambiaso, combined with his attacking contributions, showcased the complete package that modern full-backs must offer.
However, the result exposed a concerning pattern for Luciano Spalletti’s Italy. The fact that their last six conceded goals, including all three in this match, have come from set-pieces highlights a significant defensive vulnerability that requires immediate attention. With the quarter-finals looming in March, addressing these defensive frailties will be crucial to Italy’s hopes of progression in the tournament.
The victory carries additional significance for France, who have earned the advantage of playing the second leg of their quarter-final at the Stade de France, while Italy must begin their knockout campaign at San Siro. Both teams will learn their opponents on November 22, when the quarter-final draw takes place.
This tactical battle at San Siro served as a reminder of football’s enduring capacity to produce unlikely heroes. While France’s squad boasts some of world football’s most celebrated talents, it was the set-piece expertise of Digne that proved decisive in securing top spot. His performance not only highlighted his individual quality but also demonstrated the continued importance of set-piece proficiency in modern football, even at the highest level of international competition.
