International Friendly
Result: Italy 1-3 France
Date: 1 September 2016
Venue: Stadio Comunale San Nicola
An impressive France side beat Italy 3-1 in their international friendly clash in Bari on Thursday night.
Les Bleus wasted little time to get the tie off to an exciting start as Anthony Martial opened the scoring in the 17th minute. Paul Pogba set it up perfectly with his pass and his Manchester United teammate did the rest with a composed finish.
However, only four minutes later the lead was wiped out as Italy levelled matters. Eder provided the cross and picked out Graziano Pelle who beat Rafael Varane and scored with a low strike.
The goals kept coming and in the 28th minute the visitors were back in front thanks to Olivier Giroud. A poorly cleared corner kick was headed back into the fray by Layvin Kurzawa, and Giroud was in position to volley it home.
After taking their 2-1 lead into the break, France came close to extending it in the 52nd minute. A poor pass from Giorgio Chiellini was intercepted by Djibril Sidibe who played it on for Andre-Pierre Gignac, but his shot was wide.
The result was secured in the last 10 minutes of the tie by Kurzawa. Pogba was the creative force behind the goal as he sent a clever pass to the full-back who beat the goalkeeper at his near post.
