France 1-1 Italy: Olise Stunner Cancelled Out by Bastoni

Michael Olise in France colours against Norway at the 2026 World Cup, 26 June 2026 | Photo: Bryan Berlin / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0

Zinedine Zidane's first home game as France manager ended level. Michael Olise scored a fine goal at the Stade de France, Alessandro Bastoni answered for Italy, and a late red card for Dayot Upamecano left the hosts hanging on in the Nations League.

Olise hits the bar and the net

The opener was the kind of goal that settles an argument about a player. Rayan Cherki rolled a free-kick short to Olise, who struck it from outside the box, and it crashed in off the underside of the bar. For the Bayern Munich winger it carried on a run of form that BBC Sport put at 14 goal involvements in 15 games for France this year.

Zidane had won both of his previous games on the road during this international break, so a home crowd and a goal to open the night must have felt like a good sign.

Bastoni punishes a mistake

Italy did not stay behind for long. Bastoni stole the ball off Lucas da Cunha and, with Mike Maignan stranded off his line, beat the goalkeeper from the edge of the box. It was a bad error from the France player and a cool finish from the Italy defender, who did not hesitate once the chance opened up.

France finished with ten men after Upamecano picked up a second booking late on. The red card did not change the scoreline, but it takes some of the shine off a debut home night for Zidane.

What it means for the group

Italy have now won one, drawn one and lost one since Roberto Mancini returned as head coach, which is a respectable return in a tricky group. Elsewhere in Group A1, Belgium, now managed by Mark van Bommel, beat Turkey 3-0, with Kevin de Bruyne scoring twice and Romelu Lukaku adding the other.

For France the positives outweigh the negatives. Olise is playing the best football of his international career, and Zidane has started his reign unbeaten. The Upamecano suspension is a problem to solve before the next game.

Match facts: France 1-1 Italy, UEFA Nations League, Group A1, Stade de France, Friday 2 October 2026. Goals: Olise, then Bastoni (BBC did not give minutes). Red card: Upamecano (second yellow, late on).