Zinedine Zidane is set to return to the Stade de France this Friday to manage the French national team against Italy in a UEFA Nations League fixture. The match marks a significant emotional milestone, occurring twenty years after Zidane captained France to a penalty shootout victory over Italy in the 2006 World Cup final. This game represents Zidane’s first managerial appointment on French soil since his playing days.
The upcoming clash is the third matchday of the Nations League competition. While anticipation builds for Zidane’s tactical approach, recent international results have seen significant movement across European football.
Portugal secured a dominant 4-2 victory over Denmark, with goals from João Cancelo, Gonçalo Ramos, Vitinha, and João Félix. The result followed reports of Cristiano Ronaldo departing the squad abruptly amid reported tensions. In central Europe, Germany defeated Serbia 2-0 through strikes from Tom Bischof and Florian Wirtz. Wales staged a comeback to defeat Norway 2-1, while the Netherlands played out a 2-2 draw in Greece.
Elsewhere in international soccer, Guinea claimed a narrow 1-0 win against Kenya in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, powered by a goal from Serhou Guirassy. In West Africa, Carlos Queiroz departed his role as Ghana coach following a heavy 4-2 defeat to Gambia.
In club competitions, Paris Saint-Germain routed Leuven 5-0 in the Women’s Champions League. The men’s competition saw Manchester City and Real Madrid draw 1-1, while Inter Milan also settled for a draw in Vienna. In basketball, Paris Basketball recorded their first European season victory by defeating Zalgiris Kaunas 82-78 in the EuroLeague; however, Milwaukee Bucks star Mike James suffered an injury during Anadolu Efes’ 77-72 loss to Crvena Zvezda.
On the tennis circuit at the ATP 500 event in Tokyo, Carlos Alcaraz advanced past Alex Michelsen in three sets. In Beijing, Alexander Zverev defeated Cameron Norrie in straight sets.
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