Donnarumma Denies France as Zidane's Home Debut Ends 1-1 with Italy in Nations League

Zinedine Zidane took charge of his first home match as France head coach on Friday, but a superb Gianluigi Donnarumma performance forced the hosts to settle for a 1-1 draw with Italy in the Nations League. The Stade de France crowd witnessed an entertaining contest without the win they came for, and the night ended with Dayot Upamecano sent off.

• France and Italy shared a 1-1 draw in Zidane's first home game as national team boss.
• Michael Olise put the hosts ahead before Alessandro Bastoni equalised in the second half.
• Dayot Upamecano received a second yellow card late in the game.
• Belgium cruised to a 3-0 win over Turkey, with Kevin De Bruyne scoring twice.

Donnarumma Stars as Italy Hold France at the Stade de France

Michael Olise gave France the lead in the 55th minute, bending a shot in off the crossbar after a short free kick from Rayan Cherki. But a defensive lapse midway through the second half left Alessandro Bastoni with space to run at goal, and the Italy defender clipped a low finish inside the far post to level.

The visitors had earlier wasted a clear opening when Moise Kean fired straight at Mike Maignan from close range. Donnarumma then took centre stage after the restart, denying Ousmane Dembélé and Désiré Doué in quick succession before producing a brilliant low stop to keep out Adrien Rabiot's effort moments after Bastoni's equaliser.

Upamecano Dismissed as France Push for Late Winner in Vain

Upamecano picked up a second yellow card late on to leave France with ten men, but the home side continued to chase a winner. Donnarumma made sure the point was preserved, clawing away Eduardo Camavinga's strike in stoppage time to cap a standout display.

We would have loved to win for our fans tonight, but I was clearly touched and happy to be back at the Stade de France. I am pleased with the performance even if not with the result. We had chances to score a second and we did not take them, but I am very proud of the players.

Roberto Mancini was also satisfied with the work of his team, calling it a strong showing against one of the best sides in the world and stressing that Italy are heading in the right direction.

De Bruyne Bags Brace as Belgium Sweep Past Turkey in Liege

France remain top of Group A1, one point clear of Belgium after the Red Devils eased to a 3-0 home victory over Turkey. Kevin De Bruyne, making his 127th appearance for Belgium, opened the scoring with a calm finish from the edge of the box after a tidy one-two with Dodi Lukebakio.

De Bruyne added his second just before the hour, curling the ball past goalkeeper Ugurcan Cakir into the top corner. Romelu Lukaku, Belgium's all-time leading scorer, completed the win in the 76th minute when he turned in a low cross from Charles De Ketelaere.

Northern Ireland Stun Ukraine 3-0 to Boost Promotion Push

Northern Ireland delivered a statement win in League B, beating Ukraine 3-0 in Trnava to move clear at the top of their group. Ciaron Brown, the only player aged over 24 in Michael O'Neill's starting line-up, scored twice as the visitors earned three valuable points in their race for promotion.

Brown poked in the opener from a corner before Isaac Price powered home a first-time ball to double the lead in the first half. The centre-back then completed his brace in bizarre fashion shortly after the hour, with a clearance from deep landing over Ukraine goalkeeper Dmytro Riznyk and bouncing between his legs.

The result leaves Northern Ireland with seven points from three matches and no goals conceded heading into Monday's home fixture against Georgia in Belfast.

Dzeko Bids Farewell, Lewandowski Hits Hat-Trick Across the Groups

Hungary edged Georgia 1-0 in the other Group B2 match thanks to a single goal from Liverpool full-back Milos Kerkez. The win puts the Magyars level with Ukraine on four points in second place.

Edin Dzeko closed his international career during Bosnia and Herzegovina's 1-1 draw with Sweden. The 40-year-old made his 152nd appearance and was withdrawn in the 63rd minute, moments after Viktor Gyökeres had put Sweden ahead. Kerim Alajbegovic rescued a point for the hosts with an 80th-minute strike.

In the group's other game, Poland thrashed Romania 6-0 with Robert Lewandowski scoring three times. Radu Dragusin was sent off in the 22nd minute for fouling Lewandowski in the area, and the veteran striker converted the resulting penalty. Goals from Piotr Zielinski, Jan Bednarek and a Virgil Ghita own goal completed the rout in Warsaw.

The Faroe Islands earned a commendable 1-1 home draw with Group C3 leaders Slovakia, while Moldova moved up to second in the section with a 2-1 win in Kazakhstan. Elsewhere in the third tier, Vasilije Adzic scored twice as Montenegro beat Latvia 2-1, and Cyprus defeated Armenia 2-0 despite a second-half red card for Kostas Pileas.