perfect night for football the flood lights shining down on the players as we speak I'm your match commentator Derek Ray at the microphone and sitting alongside me is the former Arsenal West Ham and commentry Midfield player Stuart Robson and it's match day one in the 2024 UEFA European Championship it's France against Italy well you have to be consistent in these group games you can't afford to have an off day otherwise you're out the running before you know it anticipating a really good game though Derek hope we're not disappointed here's the side France will go with Mike men begins in goal and goo con starts alongside Adria rabio in central Midfield and they line up with just the one Striker looking to do a bit of [Applause] damage oh good defending to stop a decent looking attack and the Italy starting 11 Jan Luigi donaruma is the keeper barela plays alongside jinho in the center of Midfield and in this tactical setup they have just the one player in [Applause] attack well considering the form book Stuart kilan mbappe has got to be taken seriously here well Derek is the perfect finisher he's got a great shot on him his movement is excellent and in One V one situations you always expect him to [Applause] score alesandro Baston onto jinho Giovani D Lorenzo barela return to Kaza Splendid [Applause] defending ravio really nice ball mbappe trying his luck and denied by The Keeper impressive [Applause] [Applause] but he's gone short with it and a good challenge to bring that attack to an end really fine play to keep possession over the touch line for what will be an Italy [Applause] throw really clever pressing real determination and the challenge a throw in [Applause] here k muani rabio mbapp a chance now with the [Applause] corner fired over by Usman demele well not cleared away completely mbappe and pushed away to safety well just one minute of time added on for stoppages here pedo kza and so it is the first half story has been written Killian mbappe such a virging talent but if he analyzes this performance and you're going to analyze this performance is he going to be cross with himself and so the second half gets underway almost the case of the two teams saying to each other whatever you can do I can do just as well Pini how about the cross that is a very fine challenge in difficult circumstances well maybe a good position position from which to counter trying to open them up is it going to happen for rabio well that is high level goalkeeping well he's just pulled off a great save there that's goalkeeping of the highest quality I would [Applause] say and taken short and the cross from mbapp the clearance wasn't decisive excellent block referees are rightly praised for giving Advantage but when there is no Advantage it has to be a free [Applause] kick alesandro Baston [Applause] and so 30 minutes left for play in this [Applause] one zi by work from France to win back [Applause] possession well that's how to beat your opponent wonderful chance and a goal that will do it they've been pushing for it and now they've been rewarding [Applause] well here it is again he goes past his marker so easily with just a drop of the shoulder and then what a finish that's been hit with such power and Pace the keeper has no time to react it's a brilliant strike [Applause] so the ball rolling again with the score line standing at 1 [Applause] nil alesandro Baston Lorenzo Pelini with it and taking it away could be threatening Kar D Lorenzo onto jinho Pelini good looking cross and the danger [Applause] cleared D Lorenzo return to penini this could level it oh that goes down as a wonderful save here it is now a [Applause] substitution now plays with a positional sense that is second to none well with 5 minutes remaining and just one goal between them still the prospect of late excitement in this match griman nicely timed [Applause] tackle janas kamaka m all the stoppages we will have two extra minutes but showing a willingness to attack as they must given the circumstances time running out clear Foul Play and as a result a free kick forthcoming both managers deciding this is the time to change things around both teams going to the bench [Applause] and the final whistle has sounded a victory here for France Stuart your thoughts on their performance well Derek it was a tight game both sides had their moments and chances but overall they just about shaded it a well earned Victory well no getting away from the fact that adrea rabio has been simply