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• 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.

• France 1-3 Italy: Azzurri launch stunning fightback after 12-second setback

  Italy conceded inside 12 seconds but recovered to stun France in their Nations League opener, fighting back for a memorable 3-1 victory at the Parc des Princes.

  France hit the front almost straight from Italy kicking off as Giovanni Di Lorenzo took too long on the ball, allowing Bradley Barcola to steal possession before driving into the box and side-footing past Gianluigi Donnarumma.

  Italy should have levelled just five minutes later, but Davide Frattesi could only rattle the crossbar with his header with the goal gaping, then Mateo Retegui diverted the rebound over the top.

  The Azzurri were back on terms through a magnificent goal on the half-hour mark, though. Sandro Tonali played a sumptuous flick over the top of the France backline, and Federico Dimarco hammered a brilliant left-footed volley across Mike Maignan and into the far corner.

  Barcola saw an effort deflect narrowly wide of Donnrumma's goal before half-time, but the third goal went Italy's way five minutes into the second half. Youssouf Fofana lost possession cheaply and Luciano Spalletti's men made France pay, Retegui crossing low for Frattesi to slide it home at the far post. 

  Despite France enjoying plenty of possession, Italy extended their advantage with 14 minutes to play, Giacomo Raspadori side-footing past Maignan after being teed up by Destiny Ugodie.

  Antoine Griezmann almost set up a grandstand finish when he curled narrowly wide of the left-hand post, but that was as close as France came in the dying stages, with the full-time whistle prompting a chorus of boos from the home fans.

  Italy face Israel in their second game in Group A2 on Monday, while the pressure is on for Didier Deschamps' Bleus as they host Belgium on the same day.

  Data Debrief: Azzurri end Paris Bleus 

  Friday's victory was Italy's first over France at the Parc des Princes, with the Azzurri recording three draws and one defeat in the teams' previous four meetings on the ground.

  Only two Italy players found the net across those four previous matches, with Alessandro Del Piero and Pierluigi Casiraghi both netting in a 2-2 friendly draw in 1997.

  Prior to Dimarco's equaliser, a stunning volley teed up in expert fashion by Tonali, the last Italy player to score versus France in a competitive match was Danielle De Rossi, who netted in a 2-0 group-stage victory for the Azzurri at Euro 2008.