France clinched a dramatic 3-1 victory over Italy in Milan to claim the top spot in UEFA Nations League Group A2, thanks to Adrien Rabiot’s brace and a masterclass performance from Lucas Digne. Elsewhere, England and Norway celebrated promotion to League A with emphatic wins, while Israel pulled off a surprising upset against Belgium.
France Dominate Italy
Needing a two-goal win to secure the group lead, France delivered in style at San Siro. Adrien Rabiot opened the scoring in the second minute, heading in a pinpoint corner from Lucas Digne. Moments later, Digne’s spectacular free-kick rebounded off the crossbar and deflected in off Italy goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, doubling France’s lead. Italy fought back with Andrea Cambiaso volleying in Federico Dimarco’s cutback before halftime. However, France sealed the win in the 65th minute as Digne’s precise cross set up Rabiot for his second goal.
The victory pushed France to 13 points, finishing ahead of Italy on goal difference. Both teams had already secured quarter-final berths, but topping the group allows France to avoid facing heavyweights like Spain, Germany, and Portugal in the next stage. Coach Didier Deschamps praised his team’s performance, calling it a “great achievement” against a confident Italian side.
England’s Resounding Promotion
England stormed back into League A with a dominant 5-0 victory over the Republic of Ireland at Wembley. Despite a scoreless first half, England erupted after the break, with goals from Harry Kane (penalty), Anthony Gordon, Conor Gallagher, Jarrod Bowen, and Taylor Harwood-Bellis. The win marked a triumphant end to Lee Carsley’s tenure as interim manager and underscored England’s strength heading into the top tier.
Haaland Hat-Trick Propels Norway
In Oslo, Erling Haaland led Norway with a sensational hat-trick in a 5-0 rout of Kazakhstan, securing promotion to League A. Supported by Alexander Sørloth and Antonio Nusa, who capped the victory with a stunning curling strike, Haaland solidified his position as the tournament’s top scorer.
Israel Stun Belgium
In a surprising twist, Israel defeated Belgium 1-0 in Budapest, courtesy of a late strike by debutant Yarden Shua. Despite the victory, Israel was relegated due to an inferior head-to-head record, while Belgium narrowly avoided the same fate. The result increases pressure on Belgium coach Domenico Tedesco, as his team finished a disappointing campaign with only four points.
These thrilling matches showcased the drama and high stakes of the Nations League, setting the stage for intense battles in the quarter-finals.
