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Italy end perfect Zidane start as Belgium beat Turkey

RTHK - Oct 3, 2026

Zinedine Zidane's perfect start to life as France manager came to an end when his side were held to a 1-1 draw by Italy in their Nations League meeting at the Stade de France, where the hosts went down to 10 men in the closing minutes. France had won 1-0 away to both Turkey and Belgium in Zidane's first two games, but after Michael Olise put the French ahead 10 minutes after the break, Alessandro Bastoni levelled for Italy. "I'm very disappointed for the players because we deserved better," Zidane told the TF1 television network. "But I'm proud of them, the effort, the pressing, they were exemplary." "We knew it would be a very difficult match," Italy coach Roberto Mancini told Italian broadcaster RAI. "But we did well to allow them very little in terms of chances, even if they had more possession." Belgium beat Turkey 3-0 in the other Group A1 game, with Kevin De Bruyne putting the hosts ahead in the 10th minute after a one-two with Dodi Lukebakio. Lukebakio twice hit the post before De Bruyne scored again on the hour mark from the edge of the box. Romelu Lukaku came off the bench to replace Lukebakio and wrapped up the win 14...

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