Dayot Upamecano was sent off as France drew 1-1 with Italy in the third round of the UEFA Nations League, bringing one of the most controversial moments of Zinedine Zidane’s career back into focus.
The France defender received a straight red card in the 85th minute after attacking an Italy player, leaving his side with 10 men for the closing stages of Friday evening’s match.
Upamecano’s dismissal took place in front of Zidane, who was watching from the substitutes’ bench. It also carried a striking connection to the former France captain’s own history against Italy, almost 20 years after he was sent off in the 2006 World Cup final.
Zidane was shown a red card during extra time in that final after attacking Italy defender Marco Materazzi. The match finished 1-1 before Italy won the trophy in a penalty shootout.
This time, Zidane witnessed a similar incident from outside the field, with one of his players dismissed against the same opponent during a crucial part of the contest.
France were searching for a winning goal after Italy had levelled the score, but Upamecano’s red card changed the circumstances of the final minutes and ensured that the match ended without a winner.
The two incidents occurred in very different circumstances, but the timing and the identity of the opponent created an unmistakable parallel. Italy once again became the backdrop to a moment closely linked with Zidane and the France national team.
Upamecano’s dismissal therefore added another layer to a match already shaped by the long-standing history between the two sides. The red card revived memories of Zidane’s final appearance for France in Berlin, where his confrontation with Materazzi became one of the defining images of the 2006 World Cup.
On Friday, the drama unfolded from the touchline rather than in the middle of the pitch, with Zidane watching as another France player was sent off against Italy. The 1-1 result left the latest meeting carrying an echo of one of the most recognisable episodes in French football history.
