Zidane sets an unfortunate double record against Italy after 3-1 San Siro defeat

MILAN - NOVEMBER 12: Zinedine Zidane, Head Coach of France, looks on before the UEFA Nations League 2026/27 group phase match between Italy and France at San Siro Stadium on November 12, 2026 in Milan. (Photo by Mattia Ozbot/Getty Images)

It was a night to forget for the France national team, who lost 3-1 to Italy in San Siro on Thursday evening, and head coach Zinedine Zidane has now become the first Frenchman to lose against Italy both as a player and a coach. 

A night to forget for Zidane in Italy

Italy exceeded expectations with an impressive 3-1 victory over the third-ranked nation in the world in their penultimate Nations League group stage fixture on Thursday night. Italy had not beaten France on home soil since 1962 and had lost all of their previous three games at home against Les Bleus. 

It was a brace from Pio Esposito, now being tipped to break Gigi Riva’s national team goalscoring record, and an individual goal from Davide Frattesi that sent the Azzurri on their way to victory in Milan on Thursday night. 

Italy have now overtaken France into first place in their Nations League group and now require just a draw against Belgium on Sunday in order to qualify for the Nations League quarter-finals. 

Zidane, meanwhile, will be hoping to bounce back against Turkey on Sunday night. They have not picked up any points in any of their five Nations League group stage matches last night. 

As pointed out by Cronache di Spogliatoio, Zidane has now become the first Frenchman to lose against Italy both as a player and as a coach. His final international appearance was famously in the 2006 World Cup final, which ended in glory for the Azzurri and a red card for Zidane after headbutting Marco Materazzi. 

• Read more: Materazzi: Zidane doesn’t want to clear the air, 2006 headbutt could have had serious consequences