Luciano Spalletti’s Italy got off to a disastrous start in their Nations League group stage opener against France, with Barcola able to capitalise on Giovanni di Lorenzo’s mistake to give Didier Deschamps’ men the lead after just 12 seconds.
Les Bleus have claimed that Barcola’s early goal was the fastest goal ever scored by France in the last 90 years. However, OptaJean have revealed that this cannot be verified as France had scored three goals in the first minute prior to 1993 and as accurate data is not available for those matches, Barcola will unofficially be awarded the title.
An unofficial title
Barcola’s strike was also his first goal for the French national team, as he made his sixth appearance for Deschamps’ side. The winger enjoyed a very impressive season with Paris Saint-Germain last term and was also taken to the Euros in Germany.
Despite an impressive start to the match against Italy, France were demolished by the Azzurri who lost the match 3-1 with goals from Federico Dimarco, Davide Frattesi and Giacomo Raspadori. Kylian Mbappé, unlike Barcola, did not shine.
