Although Leonardo Bonucci was on target for Italy, France ran out 3-1 winners in a heavyweight European friendly clash in Nice.
France offered a thrilling glimpse of their World Cup potential with a 3-1 win against European rivals Italy.
Samuel Umtiti, Antoine Griezmann and Ousmane Dembele were on target for Les Bleus at Allianz Riviera on Friday, with Italy captain Leonardo Bonucci replying for the Azzurri.
Mario Balotelli shrugged off pre-match injury concerns but could not add to his goal on a return from a four-year international exile against Saudi Arabia, wasting numerous chances.
France took an early lead when Umtiti bundled in a rebound, Griezmann doubling the advantage from the penalty spot inside half an hour after Rolando Mandragora fouled Lucas Hernandez.
Bonucci replied before the interval, but France’s rapid front three continued to impress and when Dembele bent a 63rd-minute stunner into the top corner, a fine victory was assured.
Didier Deschamps’ side will seek to add to three consecutive friendly wins when they face United States on June 9 in their final World Cup warm-up, while Roberto Mancini continues his rebuilding job when Italy, who did not qualify for Russia 2018, take on Netherlands on Monday.
France made a lively start and scored the opening goal in the eighth minute.
A deep Benjamin Pavard cross from the right found Kylian Mbappe at the back post and, though Salvatore Sirigu denied the striker, Umtiti slammed in his second France goal.
Passed fit to start, Balotelli blasted a free-kick into the wall before sending an ambitious strike flying wide.
France were playing with startling vitality, however, and N’Golo Kante was unlucky to see a 25-yard low drive fizz against the outside of Sirigu’s right-hand post.
Balotelli appeared to hurt his right ankle after firing over the crossbar and was replaced after temporarily playing on.
Sirigu denied substitute Florian Thauvin a spectacular 85th-minute fourth, but for Deschamps this was an eye-catching performance with the World Cup less than two weeks away.
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