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Sandro Tonali has looked so good on his return to action with Newcastle United.
On Friday night in Paris, he took that to another level.
Italy got off to the worst possible start when Barcola scored after only 12 seconds.
It looked like a very long and tough night in prospect for Sandro Tonali and his international teammates.
However, Italy came right back at France and Frattesi almost equalised less than five minutes later but his header hit the bar instead of the net.
That only delayed though what proved the inevitable, as Italy came to France’s own backyard and outclassed Mbappe and friends.
The very much deserved equaliser coming on the half hour mark and well worth the short wait.
A goal of breathtaking beauty as Sandro Tonali came up with an outrageous flick which was then followed by an arguably even better volley from Federico Dimarco.
What. A. Goal.
The flick 🥶
The volley 🥵
A worthy Goal of the Round contender from Dimarco 👏#UNLGOTR | @AlipayPlus | #NationsLeague pic.twitter.com/zE1LHrtC2n
— UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024) September 6, 2024
Five minutes after the break and justice done, as Italy took the lead, Frattesi this time hitting the net and not the woodwork.
When Italy’s dominance was then rewarded by a third from Raspadori on 74 minutes, the locals far from happy.
The visitors rampant and blowing France away.
Newcastle United fans licking their lips in anticipation, the moment when a fully match fit Sandro Tonali (who played out this full game against France) will start alongside Bruno and Joelinton this season.
Italy boss Luciano Spalleti was more than impressed with Sandro Tonali:
“He put in a magnificent performance.
“We were a bit worried he wouldn’t be able to play the full 90 minutes, but in the final stages, he went on a couple of driving runs and almost got through on goal.
“We have got a great player back.”
Sandro Tonali and his international teammates now move on to Budapest on Monday night, an away game on neutral ground against Israel.
This is the September 2024 international schedule for Newcastle United players:
Thursday 5 September
Azerbaijan 1 Sweden 3
Alexander Isak on fire in this Nations League match. Scoring the first two goals and then bizarrely denied his hat-trick.
Alexander Isak winning the penalty but instead of the Newcastle United striker taking the spot-kick to finish off a great personal match, it was Gyokeres who took the 80th minute spot-kick to put Sweden 3-0 up. The home side getting a consolation goal late on.
Estonia 0 Slovakia 1
Martin Dubravka getting a morale boosting clean sheet as the Newcastle United number two keeper helped his country to an opening Nations League group win, the winner coming on 70 minutes.
Friday 6 September
France 1 Italy 3
A stunning international comeback for Sandro Tonali.
France taking the lead after only 12 seconds but the Newcastle United midfielder superb, as he and his international teammates came back and blew the home side away in Paris. A very much deserved win for Italy and this Nations League victory set in motion with a stunning equaliser on 30 minutes, a sublime flick by Sandro Tonali followed by an arguably even better volley from Dimarco.
Saturday 7 September
Republic of Ireland v England (Nick Pope, Tino Livramento, Anthony Gordon) Nations League
Sunday 8 September
Sweden v Estonia (Alexander Isak) Nations League
Slovakia v Azerbaijan (Martin Dubravka) Nations League
Monday 9 September
Israel v Italy (Sandro Tonali) Nations League
England U21s v Austria U21s (Lewis Hall) U21 Euros group qualifier
Tuesday 10 September
England v Finland (Nick Pope, Tino Livramento, Anthony Gordon) Nations League
Paraguay v Brazil (Bruno Guimaraes, Miguel Almiron) World Cup group qualifier (UK time, kick-off early hours of Wednesday)
Denmark U21s v Czech Republic U21s (Will Osula) U21s Euros group qualifier
Republic of Ireland U21s v Latvia U21s (Alex Murphy) U21 Euros group qualifier

 
