France 3-1 Italy: Dembele scores golazo as Les Bleus get 2nd consecutive WC warm-up win

Although Leonardo Bonucci was on target for Italy, France ran out 3-1 winners in a heavyweight European friendly clash in Nice.

Match Events

France offered a thrilling glimpse of their World Cup potential with a 3-1 win against European rivals Italy.

Samuel Umtiti, Antoine Griezmann and Ousmane Dembele were on target for Les Bleus at Allianz Riviera on Friday, with Italy captain Leonardo Bonucci replying for the Azzurri.

Mario Balotelli shrugged off pre-match injury concerns but could not add to his goal on a return from a four-year international exile against Saudi Arabia, wasting numerous chances.

France took an early lead when Umtiti bundled in a rebound, Griezmann doubling the advantage from the penalty spot inside half an hour after Rolando Mandragora fouled Lucas Hernandez.

Bonucci replied before the interval, but France's rapid front three continued to impress and when Dembele bent a 63rd-minute stunner into the top corner, a fine victory was assured.

Didier Deschamps' side will seek to add to three consecutive friendly wins when they face United States on June 9 in their final World Cup warm-up, while Roberto Mancini continues his rebuilding job when Italy, who did not qualify for Russia 2018, take on Netherlands on Monday.

8' GOAL! France 1-0 Italy (Umtiti)

That's been coming! Pressure builds following a lovely run from Mbappe to win a free-kick. Italy are unable to clear their lines and a delicious ball in for Mbappe at the far post is stopped wonderfully by Sirigu, but the keeper can do nothing to deny Umtiti on the rebound!

29' Penalty Goal! France 2-0 Italy (Griezmann)

France in complete control here as Griezmann tucks that effort just inside the post, out of the reach of Sirigu, who guessed right but couldn't get his hands to that perfect penalty.

36' GOAL! France 2-1 Italy (Bonucci)

Balotelli wins the debate again as to who will take the free-kick, and he connects with a venomous strike that Lloris can only knock down, as opposed to parry, and like a shark who smells blood, Bonucci is there to pounce on the rebound to pull Italy back into the game!

48' POST! Dembele almost scores

63' GOAL! France 3-1 Italy (O.Dembele)

WHAT A HIT! Goodness me that was special! Dembele pounces on a loose ball following a challenge on the edge of the Italy penalty area, and lifts a first-time strike over the head of Sirigu and into the far top corner! Simply stunning from the Barcelona man!

48' OFF THE BAR! Dembele almost scores

Line-ups

France XI: Hugo Lloris, Adil Rami, Antoine Griezmann, Samuel Umtiti, Paul Pogba, N'Golo Kanté, Corentin Tolisso, Lucas Hernández, Ousmane Dembélé, Benjamin Pavard, Kylian Mbappé

Subs: Blaise Matuidi, Steve Mandanda, Steven N'Zonzi, Olivier Giroud, Djibril Sidibe, Alphonse Areola, Raphael Varane, Benjamin Mendy, Florian Thauvin, Nabil Fekir, Thomas Lemar, Presnel Kimpembe

Italy XI: Leonardo Bonucci, Mario Balotelli, Salvatore Sirigu, Danilo D'Ambrosio, Mattia De Sciglio, Jorginho, Domenico Berardi, Mattia Caldara, Rolando Mandragora, Lorenzo Pellegrini, Federico Chiesa

Subs: Giacomo Bonaventura, Simone Zaza, Mattia Perin, Simone Verdi, Lorenzo Insigne, Daniele Rugani, Alessandro Florenzi, Davide Zappacosta, Bryan Cristante, Andrea Belotti, Alessio Romagnoli, Matteo Politano