Related items

• Deschamps ready for criticism after 'light went out' in Italy defeat

  Didier Deschamps is prepared to face the critics after France kickstarted their Nations League campaign with a 3-1 defeat to Italy on Friday. 

  Bradley Barcola handed the hosts a lead with just 12 seconds on the clock, only for the Azzurri to respond to secure their first victory over France at the Parc des Princes.

  After scoring just once from open play at Euro 2024, Les Bleus failed to trouble Gianluigi Donnarumma, with only three of their 12 shots in the encounter on target, all of which came in the first 45 minutes.

  France registered an expected goals (xG) total of 0.86 compared to Italy's 1.71, with Kylian Mbappe enduring another difficult night in front of goal. 

  Despite winning both the World Cup and the Nations League during his time in charge, Deschamps is ready for criticism, having previously come under fire in Germany.

  “I am accustomed to criticism, even if I won more than lost in my career," Deschamps said.

  "I knew our fitness levels were not at the best, but it is a young squad with Olise and Manu Kone getting their senior debuts. These are the necessary steps to grow.

  “I have always been clear-eyed on what we were doing. Unfortunately, in terms of intensity and physicality, Italy did more than us.

  “It irritates me that our first 20 minutes were so good and then the light went out.”

  Despite starting well, France failed to find that attacking spark that many have feared on the international stage in recent years. 

  With the likes of Mbappe, Antoine Griezmann and Marcus Thuram all experienced in the senior side, it was Barcola, on his sixth start for his country, who shone. 

  He contributed an expected goals (xG) total of 0.45 to France's total, registering more shots (three) than anyone for Les Bleus.

  But speaking after the game, Deschamps praised Italy's stern defensive showing, acknowledging his side's quick start was difficult to maintain.

  “We had started so well, scoring the goal and putting good pressure on Italy," Deschamps told RAI Sport.

  "It’s tough to keep that high press and intensity up, even before half-time I saw a physical dip. We made mistakes, which allowed Italy to equalise.

  “In trying that high press, we opened up spaces and Italy hurt us with attacking players who pushed up. Without a solid block, it became very difficult for us.

  "Italy defend very well and we have great attacking players, but you have to be wary leaving those spaces or they’ll hurt you in return.”

• The best is yet to come from Wales, says Bellamy after Turkiye stalemate

  Craig Bellamy insisted that there is more to come from his Wales side as his maiden outing as their new head coach ended in a goalless draw against Turkiye. 

  Having seen Aaron Ramsey and Joe Rodon squander golden opportunities early on, Bellamy thought his side had netted the first goal of his tenure in the 37th minute.

  Ramsey's searching ball picked out Sorba Thomas behind the Turkiye defence before lobbing the ball over Mert Gunok, only for the offside flag to be raised.

  The hosts played for just under half an hour with a man advantage after Baris Alper Yilmaz was shown a second yellow card for a foul on Neco Williams.

  But Wales were unable to find a breakthrough, and they have now failed to score in four consecutive international matches for the first time since a run of four between February and September 2012. 

  However, Bellamy praised his side's display on home soil, saying: "[The players were] outstanding. We have had a lot of work this week.

  "There have been a lot of meetings and I am always conscious of a lot of information going in at the same time.

  "But they were great this week and that gives you confidence.

  "Believe me, this is the worst we are going to be. The more we learn, the more we spend together, the finer details.

  "It's such a good start but there's much more to come from this team.

  "I am not a master at this after one game, trust me. But I enjoyed it. It was a great country to play against in your first game and I am really happy."

  Wales gave an exciting glimpse of what the future may hold under their new head coach, starting immediatley on the front foot with high-octane new style.

  Having failed to qualify for Euro 2024 under Robert Page, Bellamy's appointment has seemingly galvanised Welsh football once again. 

  His methods faced a stern test against Turkiye, who were one of the standout sides at the European Championships under Vincenzo Montella earlier this year.

  Wales were a threat from set-pieces, with Ramsey going close with a flicked header, while a well worked corner routine was fired over by Rodon. 

  Turkiye did provide a couple of anxious moments, however, with Yilmaz's appeals for a penalty waved away after tussling with Rodon inside the penalty area.

  Having seen his goal ruled out in the first half, Thomas again went close after the break, with Harry Wilson's curling effort narrowly evading the far post. 

  While there was to be no winning start for Bellamy, there was also a nod to the future. 

  18-year-old Lewis Koumas made his home international debut, coming 15 years and 162 days since his father, Jason Koumas, made his last home appearance for Wales in a 2-0 defeat against Finland in March 2009.

• Belgium 3-1 Israel: De Bruyne double hands Red Devils winning start

  Kevin De Bruyne scored twice either side of half-time to hand Belgium a winning start to their Nations League campaign, beating Israel 3-1 at the Nagyerdei Stadion.

  De Bruyne got the ball rolling with a fine finish early on, only for Timothy Castagne's own goal to level things up on neutral ground in Hungary.

  But the Red Devils rallied after the break, with Belgium's captain scoring from the spot shortly after Youri Tielemans had restored their advantage.

  Belgium took the lead in the 21st minute as Manchester City's Jeremy Doku skipped to the byline before finding his club team-mate De Bruyne, who finished emphatically.

  Despite their dominance, Belgium were pegged back nine minutes before half-time as Anan Khalaili's goal-bound header deflected off Castagne and beyond Koen Casteels. 

  But Tielemans restored their advantage three minutes after the restart, firing into the bottom corner after Lois Openda's neat touch. 

  De Bruyne grabbed his second of the game four minutes later after Openda was fouled by Raz Shlomo inside the box, finishing confidently from 12 yards.

  Belgium were awarded another penalty soon after, with Openda again involved, only for the RB Leipzig striker to step up and see his spot-kick saved by Yoav Gerafi.

  The Red Devils travel to Lyon on Monday to face France, who were beaten 3-1 by Italy in their opening fixture in Group A2.

  Data Debrief: De Bruyne at the double

  While many of Belgium's 'golden generation' have come and gone, De Bruyne proved once again he is still the jewel in the Red Devils' crown.

  The City midfielder contributed an expected goals (xG) tally of 1.64 to Belgium's 3.53 total, also playing more passes in the final third (34) than any other player on the pitch. 

  He also created two big chances for his team-mates, with his 10 touches in the opposition box a total only bettered by Doku (11) for the hosts.