By Imran Javed  |  13 November 2026

Nations League Results: Italy Stun France 3-1, Kane Makes History as England Beat Croatia, Spain Stay Perfect

Italy came from behind to beat France 3-1 at San Siro on Thursday night, Harry Kane scored on his record-breaking 126th England cap as England beat Croatia 2-1 at Wembley, and Spain stayed perfect with a 2-0 win over 10-man Czechia in Prague. Belgium beat Türkiye 2-1 in the night’s other big match, which means Group A1 will be decided on the final day on Sunday, 15 November.

It was a night of firsts and records across Europe. Francesco Pio Esposito scored twice to hand Zinedine Zidane his first defeat as France coach and to give Italy their first home win over France since 1962. Kane became England’s most-capped men’s player and scored his 92nd international goal. And Spain stretched their unbeaten run in competitive matches to 44 games with a fifth straight Nations League win this season.

Italy 3-1 France: Esposito Brothers Steal the Night

France took the lead after just 10 minutes at San Siro when Italy captain Gianluigi Donnarumma gave the ball away playing out from the back, and Michael Olise punished the error to put the visitors in front. Italy hit back in the 26th minute, when Nicolò Cambiaghi drove to the byline on the left and pulled the ball back for Francesco Pio Esposito to flick home from close range.

The second half belonged to Italy. Sebastiano Esposito fired a penalty wide just after the hour, but less than two minutes later substitute Federico Dimarco crossed from the left for Davide Frattesi to smash Italy ahead in the 63rd minute — Frattesi’s 10th international goal. Pio Esposito then completed his brace from the penalty spot in the 75th minute, after Dayot Upamecano had fouled substitute Antonio Vergara, succeeding where his older brother had failed.

The win sent Italy top of Group A1 on 10 points, level with France but ahead on the head-to-head record. It was Italy’s first win over France on home soil since 1962, and it handed Zinedine Zidane his first defeat since taking over as France coach this summer. Pio and Sebastiano Esposito are the first brothers to represent Italy together since 1910. Italy coach Roberto Mancini warned afterwards that the job is not done: his side must win in Belgium on Sunday to keep top spot. France, meanwhile, will qualify by beating Türkiye in Bordeaux.

England 2-1 Croatia: Kane’s Record Night at Wembley

England’s 2-1 victory over Croatia at Wembley featured a night of history for Harry Kane. The England captain made his record-breaking 126th appearance for his country, becoming England’s most-capped men’s player, and he scored the winner — his record-extending 92nd England goal — on his big night.

England had taken the lead in fortuitous fashion early on, but Croatia levelled out of nowhere when Jarell Quansah, instead of dealing with a corner, tried to head the ball back to Jordan Pickford from close range, and Petar Sučić nipped in to put it into the net. Kane’s winner settled the match, and with Spain also winning, England and Spain have both qualified for the quarter-finals from Group A3. The two sides meet on Sunday at the Metropolitano in Madrid, where a win for England would see them top the group.

Spain 2-0 Czechia: VAR, a Red Card and a Perfect Record

World champions Spain continued their unbeaten Nations League campaign with a 2-0 victory away to Czechia, but it was not as comfortable as the scoreline suggests. Álex Baena opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 39th minute, after a VAR check showed Czech midfielder Lukáš Ambros had handled the ball inside the box.

Spain thought they had doubled their lead within two minutes of the second half, when goalkeeper Unai Simón launched a long ball to Yeremy Pino, who finished coolly — but VAR ruled the goal out for a narrow offside. Czechia captain Ladislav Krejčí was then sent off in the 69th minute, his second red card in a month, for bringing down substitute Roberto Fernández on a counter-attack. Fabián Ruiz had already hit the post in the first half, and it was another substitute, Marc Pubill, who finally sealed the win with a low shot deep into stoppage time.

The win leaves Spain unbeaten in 44 competitive games in a row, including five wins in as many Nations League games this season. Spain and England have already secured the two quarter-final places from Group A3, and Sunday’s meeting in Madrid will decide who finishes first.

Belgium 2-1 Türkiye: Group A1 Goes to the Final Day

Belgium’s 2-1 victory over Türkiye left Group A1 finely balanced, with Italy and France on 10 points and Belgium just one behind on nine. Türkiye, who are rock-bottom of the group, suffered a fifth straight defeat. With one round of group matches remaining, Thursday’s results have turned several qualification scenarios into decisive final-day contests: Italy travel to Belgium, France host Türkiye, and in Group A3, Spain host England for first place.

What Happens on Sunday

All three final fixtures are scheduled for 8:45pm Central European Time on Sunday, 15 November. Italy will qualify from Group A1 by defeating Belgium in Brussels, while France will qualify by defeating Türkiye in Bordeaux. In Group A3, Spain against England in Madrid will decide who tops the group, with both teams already through to the quarter-finals.

We will update this article with the final-day results and the confirmed quarter-final line-up once Sunday’s matches are over.

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