Pio scores a brace as Italy cruise to victory against France

The international break is officially underway, with several Nerazzurri players already making their mark in matches for their national teams. Seven Inter players featured in the opening round of fixtures, including five at San Siro for Italy vs. France: Nicolò Barella, Alessandro Bastoni, Federico Dimarco, Pio Esposito, Andy Diouf, Petar Sučić and Hakan Çalhanoğlu. The four Nerazzurri representing Italy were particularly impressive, with Esposito's two goals and Dimarco's assist proving decisive in the Azzurri's victory.

ITALY vs. FRANCE

It was a memorable night of football at San Siro as Italy claimed a superb victory over France. The Azzurri won 3-1 in their UEFA Nations League League A Group 1 showdown, with all four Nerazzurri players in the squad featuring at the Meazza and playing their part in a hugely important win. Pio Esposito stole the headlines with a magnificent brace, his first for the Italian national team. After Olise had given France the lead, the Inter striker, who started alongside Nicolò Barella and Alessandro Bastoni, equalised in the first half with a classic centre-forward's goal, getting in front of both Upamecano and Maignan to finish from close range. Italy defended well and created several chances to take the lead. Sebastiano Esposito missed a penalty in the second half, but the Azzurri eventually went ahead thanks to a move involving two Inter players. In the 63rd minute, Barella won possession in the attacking third and immediately found Federico Dimarco, who had replaced Cambiaghi just a minute earlier. The wing-back delivered a perfect cross for Frattesi to score and put Italy in front. The Azzurri were awarded another penalty in the 75th minute, and Pio Esposito stepped up to convert with composure and precision, taking his tally to nine goals in 14 appearances for Italy. Esposito and Barella were both substituted in the 90+2nd minute, making way for Ricci and Scamacca, while Bastoni played the full match. There was also Nerazzurri representation in the French side, with Andy Diouf replacing Truffert in the 77th minute, when Roberto Mancini's team were already leading 3-1. The victory takes Italy top of Group 1 on ten points, level with France. On Sunday 15 November, the Azzurri face Belgium, who trail by just one point, with top spot and qualification for the Nations League quarter-finals in March at stake.

ENGLAND vs. CROATIA

Esposito was not the only Nerazzurri player on the scoresheet in this round of Nations League matches, as Petar Sučić also found the net for Croatia against England at Wembley, although his goal was not enough to save his team from defeat. The Inter midfielder, named in the starting line-up by Croatia coach Bilić, scored the equaliser in the 59th minute after Rogers had given England the lead in the first half. Thomas Tuchel's side regained the advantage through a Harry Kane penalty in the 64th minute, before Sučić was replaced by Mario Pašalić in the 70th. Croatia's 2-1 defeat leaves them third in League A Group 3 with three points, mathematically ruling them out of the Nations League quarter-finals. On Sunday 15 November, Sučić's national team will look to hold on to third place when they face Czechia. If Croatia finish as one of the two best third-placed teams, they will avoid relegation to League B.

TÜRKIYE vs. BELGIUM

The UEFA Nations League action had begun earlier in the evening with Türkiye's clash against Belgium in İzmir, where the Red Devils came from behind to win 2-1. Arda Güler opened the scoring with a free kick, but goals from De Bruyne and De Ketelaere turned the match around within ten minutes. Hakan Çalhanoğlu started on the bench before being brought on by coach Yalçın in the 58th minute. The Inter midfielder went close to equalising late on with a low shot across goal that was kept out by Belgian goalkeeper Lammens, but it was not enough to save Türkiye from defeat. With no points in Group 1, currently led by Italy and France, Türkiye are already mathematically guaranteed to finish bottom. Their match against France in Bordeaux on Sunday 15 November will nevertheless be important, as they can still avoid relegation to League B by finishing as one of the two best fourth-placed teams.