#Match Report: France Impress with a Comfortable Victory over Italy

Summary

France continued their impressive build up to the World Cup with a comfortable 3-1 victory over Italy in Nice.

Samuel Umtiti set the hosts on their way after Kylian Mbappe’s effort was parried by the Italian goalkeeper, Salvatore Sirigu.

The French doubled their lead when Antoine Griezmann converted a penalty after Lucas Hernandez had been fouled.

Leonardo Bonucci reduced the arrears for Italy but Ousmane Dembele’s chip rounded off a fine French display.

Mbappe in particular sparkled in a fluent up-tempo display alongside Dembele and Griezmann and was given a standing ovation when he was replaced by Florian Thauvin late on.

The pace, power and guile of that trio often left the Italian defence bewildered and the margin of victory might have been wider, with Dembele and N’Golo Kante both hitting the woodwork for France.

Highlights

https://youtu.be/bPdGJip_C_k

Moments

8′ Goal! France 1, Italy 0. Samuel Umtiti (France) left footed shot from very close range to the top left corner following a set piece situation. 16′ Attempt missed. Mario Balotelli (Italy) right footed shot from outside the box is just a bit too high. 20′ N’Golo Kanté (France) hits the left post with a right footed shot from outside the box. 21′ Attempt saved. Kylian Mbappé (France) right footed shot from a difficult angle on the right is saved in the centre of the goal. 29′ Goal! France 2, Italy 0. Antoine Griezmann (France) converts the penalty with a left footed shot to the bottom right corner.36′ Goal! France 2, Italy 1. Leonardo Bonucci (Italy) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner following a set piece situation. 63′ Goal! France 3, Italy 1. Ousmane Dembélé (France) right footed shot from the left side of the box to the top right corner.