France closed 2024 with an unexpected recovery in the UEFA Nations League which was completed by a 3-1 win away at Italy on Sunday. Adrien Rabiot scored a headed goal in each half as Lucas Digne excelled with a role in each of the three French goals as Didier Deschamps' men edged the Azzurri in goal difference in Milan.

Aston Villa defender Lucas Digne made three goal contributions during his 50th international cap for France, as they beat Italy 3-1 to finish top of their Nations League group on Sunday. The left-back has been in fine form for Unai Emery's side so far this season and was rewarded with an international start ahead of AC Milan's Theo Hernandez.

Italy will have to face either Germany, Spain or Portugal in the Nations League quarter-finals after losing 3-1 to France in San Siro on Sunday evening and finishing the group stage in second as a

Italy host France at the San Siro Stadium in Milan on Sunday, Nov. 17. Kickoff is set for 8:45 p.m. CET local time in Italy, making it a 7:45 p.m. GMT start in the UK, a 2:45 p.m. ET or 11:45 a.m. PT kickoff in the US and Canada, and a 6:45 a.m. AEDT start on Monday, Nov. 18 in Australia.

Adrien Rabiot fired France to first place in Nations League Group A2 with a headed brace in Sunday's 3-1 win over Italy at the San Siro.

Italy: Spalletti is expected to make some changes ahead of the game against France with some rotations among the wingers and attacking players. Destiny Udogie should replace Federico Dimarco on the left wing, while Giacomo Raspadori and Moise Kean are expected to lead the attack.

France’s forward Marcus Thuram (C) struggles for the ball with Italy’s defenders Giovanni Di Lorenzo (R) and Alessandro Bastoni during the UEFA Nations League soccer match between Italy and France at the Giuseppe Meazza stadium in Milan, Italy, 17 November 2024. EPA-EFE/DANIEL DAL ZENNARO

His headed goals in the 3-1 win in Milan saw Les Bleus leapfrog the Azzurri into top spot in Group A2 on goal difference. Read more at straitstimes.com.

England blew away 10-man Republic of Ireland 5-0 to wrap up promotion to the Nations League top flight as four players netted their first international goals on Sunday, while Adrien Rabiot scored twice as France beat Italy.

Adrien Rabiot and Lucas Digne combined perfectly to celebrate their 50th international caps to give France a 3-1 away win against Italy in the Nations League Group A2 decider as they finished top of the table on Sunday.