France dropped its first points of the UEFA Nations League campaign on Friday, October 2, 2026, playing out a 1-1 draw against Italy at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis. The fourth-place team of this year’s world championship entered the fixture without captain Kylian Mbappé, who remains sidelined with a left knee tendon injury sustained during the opening match against Turkey. Despite the absence of their talisman, Les Bleus controlled stretches of the second half, breaking the deadlock in the 55th minute through Michael Olise before Italy responded through Alessandro Bastoni.
France Breaches Italy Before Bastoni Equalizes in Saint-Denis
However, Italy capitalized on defensive lapses to level the score in the 68th minute when Bastoni found the back of the net. The tense Group A1 encounter grew increasingly physical in the closing stages, culminating in a straight red card issued to French defender Dayot Upamecano in the 85th minute. The resulting share of the points leaves France at the top of the group table with seven points from three matches, narrowly leading a tightly contested section.
Belgium Secures Comfortable Victory Over Turkey
Just one point behind the group leaders, Belgium secured a dominant 3-0 victory over Turkey in Liège. Kevin De Bruyne orchestrated the midfield masterclass, netting twice to elevate his international career tally to 40 goals. Belgian all-time leading scorer Romelu Lukaku sealed the result in the 76th minute, converting his 94th international strike as he inches closer to the milestone of 100 goals for his country. The result leaves Turkey winless at the bottom of Group A1 with zero points.
Robert Lewandowski Inspires Poland in Six-Goal Demolition of Romania
In Group B4, Poland recorded a commanding 6-0 victory over Romania in Warsaw, spearheaded by a hat-trick from Robert Lewandowski. The striker opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 24th minute during his 170th international appearance, marking his 90th goal for the national team. The penalty followed a challenge by Radu Drăgușin on Lewandowski, which resulted in a straight red card for the Romanian defender by referee Urs Schnyder. Lewandowski added his second immediately after halftime before sealing his hat-trick in the 86th minute. Additional goals from an own goal by Virgil Ghiță, a strike by Piotr Zieliński, and a header from Jan Bednarek completed the rout.
Slovakia Slips on the Faroe Islands in Group C3
Slovakia dropped its first points of the League C3 campaign following a 1-1 draw away against the Faroe Islands in Tórshavn. Having secured victories in their opening two home fixtures, the Slovak side took the lead in the 38th minute when Rogvi Vatnhamar turned the ball into his own net. The hosts responded after the interval through Arnbjørn Justinussen in the 66th minute to equalize. Despite the stumble, Slovakia remains at the head of the group standings with seven points, while the Faroe Islands collected a draw.
Northern Ireland and Hungary Secure Nations League Wins
Across the continent, Matchday 3 delivered shifting fortunes in multiple groups. In Group B2, Northern Ireland defeated Ukraine 3-0 at a neutral venue in Trnava behind goals from Isaac Price and a brace from Shayne Brown, maintaining their position at the top of the standings. Hungary secured a narrow 1-0 win over Georgia thanks to a 35th-minute strike from Milos Kerkez. Meanwhile, Bosnia and Herzegovina drew 1-1 with Group B4 leaders Sweden, as Viktor Gyökeres struck for the visitors before Dženan Alajbegović leveled late for the hosts.
Cyprus and Montenegro Win Group C2 Matches
In Group C2 action, Cyprus defeated Armenia 2-0 in Nicosia with goals from Konomis in the 19th minute and Kakullis in the 31st minute, despite a red card shown to Pileas. Montenegro claimed a 2-1 away win over Latvia in Riga, powered by a brace from Adžič in the 3rd and 56th minutes before Strods pulled one back late.
The next round of UEFA Nations League fixtures continues according to the official governing body schedule.
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