Video: Italy returns to spoil Zidane's night with France after 20 years!

France and Italy shared the spoils on Friday evening, playing out a 1-1 draw in their third fixture of the UEFA Nations League group stage. The night carried an extra edge, with Zinedine Zidane back in the company of the Italian national team once more, this time from off the pitch.

The result lifted France to seven points, keeping them top of Group One. Italy climbed to four points and third place, the Azzurri having fought back to snatch a draw after falling a goal behind.

Oulisi opens the scoring: Italy respond quickly

The first half ended goalless. Michael Olise broke the deadlock in the 55th minute, rewarding France's relentless pressure as they poured forward in search of chances.

مايكل أوليسيه يسجل هدفاً رائعاً لفرنسا بتسديدة صاروخية ارتطمت بالعارضة وسكنت الشباك!#دوري_الأمم_الأوروبية pic.twitter.com/2Zpl90qzoL — beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) October 2, 2026

France's lead barely survived. Alessandro Bastoni dragged Italy level in the 68th minute, winning the ball superbly before driving forward and firing into the net to level the contest.

That strike brought the match back to life. Both sides traded attacks in search of a winner, with each goalkeeper producing brilliance at the decisive moments.

باستوني يدرك التعادل لإيطاليا#دوري_الأمم_الأوروبية pic.twitter.com/rD4D3Ywtgv — beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) October 2, 2026

Donnarumma and Maignan shine as the chances keep coming

France came close to regaining the lead more than once. The most dangerous moment arrived through Ousmane Dembélé, who nearly beat Donnarumma, only for the Italian goalkeeper to produce a brilliant stop and deny the hosts a second.

Dembélé was not the only threat. Doué unleashed a fierce shot that almost put France in front, but Donnarumma got down smartly again to parry it and keep Italy's hopes of a result alive.

Up the other end, Moise Kean almost grabbed a second for Italy. Maignan read the danger and pulled off a magnificent save to stop the Azzurri turning the game around, and the match finished all square.

Read also: Son of a Morocco legend turns down the Lions for France

Italy spoil Zidane's night: memories of 2006 return

The draw handed the match a special historic weight for Zinedine Zidane. It marked his first meeting with Italy since the 2006 World Cup final, when the two sides met in Berlin and drew 1-1 before the Azzurri lifted the trophy on penalties.

That night ranked among the cruellest of Zidane's playing career. Sent off in extra time for headbutting Italian defender Marco Materazzi, he walked off the pitch in his final appearance in a France shirt.

Nearly 20 years on, Italy reasserted themselves against Zidane, though in different fashion. They denied France the chance to celebrate a win and settled for a draw, spoiling part of the special night Zidane had been looking forward to against the team tied to the most controversial moment of his career.

No winner emerged, but Italy walked away with a precious point. Once again Zidane's night was bound up with the Azzurri, a scene that stirred memories of the Berlin final, even if the details differed this time between one stadium and another, and between Zidane the player and the Zidane living it from a different vantage point.