Rabiot at the double as France see off Italy to top Nations League Group Two

Les Bleus broke the deadlock in the second minute, stunning the majority of the Italian home crowd thanks to two milestone men. Lucas Digne and Adrien Rabiot – both on their 50th cap – came together when the former's outswinging corner was met by a towering header from the latter.

It was the French team's fastest away goal in a competitive match since Patrick Battiston scored in a 4-0 win over Luxembourg in October 1984, and crucially it meant France needed one more goal to move the hosts into first place to obtain.

Italy looked for a quick response and Mike Maignan was called into action to keep out Nicolo Barella's strike at the near post. However, it was Didier Deschamps' men who struck again with a goal that propelled the visitors to the top of the group. Digne's beautifully struck free-kick bounced off the woodwork and Azzurri shot-stopper Guglielmo Vicario before flying into the net.

This pulsating match took another twist as the home side halved the deficit two minutes later when Andrea Cambiaso clinically slotted the ball home from Federico Dimarco's cross, leaving Luciano Spalletti's side back in front heading into the break.

Yet France hit back again to restore their two-goal lead, thanks to the proven combination of Digne and Rabiot. The Aston Villa defender used his left foot to swing towards the 29-year-old in a set piece, who headed past Vicario again in the 65th minute.

Cambiasso tried to take matters into his own hands in search of a second Italian goal, and was inches away from reducing the deficit to one with a stinging solo effort.

There was still time for Maignan to make a brilliant save at the death to deny Moise Kean, but ultimately Spalletti's men could not find a route back into the match.

They now enter the UNL quarterfinals in March as one of four unseeded teams. Meanwhile, Deschamps can take solace in the knowledge that this first competitive win over Italy in 18 years will ensure his side will be in the seeded section of the draw and will play the second leg of their last-eight tie on home soil.

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