Arsenal's Calafiori injured as Italy beat France

Riccardo Calafiori only made his Italy debut earlier this year. Reuters

Parc des Princes, September 7 — Italy lost Arsenal defender Riccardo Calafiori to injury as they recorded a surprise 3-1 win in France in their Nations League opener.

The Gunners player was hurt in a freak collision as Ousmane Dembele was tackled by another player and caught him on the back of his leg with his studs as he landed.

He tried to play on for a few minutes but had to be replaced.

Bradley Barcola gave France the lead after just 12 seconds, intercepting an Italy pass before bursting into the box and slotting home.

Italy were almost level five minutes later but Davide Frattesi's header hit the bar.

Federico Dimarco levelled with a sensational volley from Sandro Tonali's flicked pass.

It was Newcastle midfielder Tonali's first international game since September 2023, having recently returned from a 10-month ban for breaching gambling rules.

Inter Milan's Frattesi put Italy ahead early in the second half with a clinical finish from Mateo Retegui's ball.

Giacomo Raspadori beat William Saliba with a fine bit of control from a Destiny Udogie pass before adding Italy's third.

London-born Bayern Munich winger Michael Olise made his senior debut for France from the start. He had played for Les Bleus in this summer's Olympic Games.