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.

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 .

From a tactical formation and squad depth perspective, "Италия - Франция 1:1 – Бастони бьет с обеих сторон" carries substantial tournament implications for international seeding and domestic campaign momentum. Coaching staffs are heavily weighing high-pressing efficiency (PPDA), defensive transition pace, and fixture fatigue management.

Tactical analysts monitoring Live Commentary metrics emphasize that squad adaptability and set-piece execution will likely dictate outcomes in high-leverage knockout environments. Real-time match telemetry and tracking data continue to inform managerial decision-making.

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