Pio Esposito scored twice as Italy beat France 3-1 in the Nations League on Thursday, earning the Azzurri their first home victory over Les Bleus in 64 years. The 21-year-old forward has now scored nine goals for Italy in just 14 matches, and his performance went some way toward erasing the memories of Italy’s World Cup playoff defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Esposito’s second goal came from the penalty spot in the 75th minute, sealing the result. It was the first spot kick he had taken since missing one in the penalty shootout loss to Bosnia and Herzegovina, a defeat that cost Italy a place at a third straight World Cup.
“When I stepped up to the penalty spot, that memory came back to me, but I couldn’t hide for the rest of my life. You have to summon the courage to take them,” Esposito said.
A Family Affair at San Siro
The penalty carried extra weight. Esposito’s older brother, Sebastiano, had missed a spot kick 15 minutes earlier, when the score was still 1-1.
“There was also an added responsibility: to make people forget my brother’s mistake,” Esposito said. “When he made that mistake, it was tough for me, too, and I had to seal the result for his sake as well.”
Italy coach Roberto Mancini appeared as surprised as most at San Siro when Sebastiano stepped up to take the earlier penalty, which he blazed wide. After the match, Mancini confirmed that Pio was first on the penalty takers’ list, with Sebastiano second.
“It was a family thing,” Mancini said with a smile.
When Italy earned the second penalty, Mancini turned to Sebastiano, who had already been substituted off, and jokingly asked whether he wanted to take that one too. Both men laughed.
A Rapid Rise
Esposito’s progress has been remarkable. He was playing in Serie B, on loan at Spezia, until the start of last season. A breakout campaign back at Inter Milan followed.
The crowd of nearly 71,500 gave him a standing ovation when he was substituted off in stoppage time.
Esposito could also eventually take over Gigi Riva’s place as Italy’s all-time record scorer. Riva holds the mark with 35 goals, a record that has stood for 52 years.
“We hope he can score a lot more, because it’s been a lifetime that Gigi Riva is at the top,” Mancini said. “We hope someone surpasses him for the good of the national team.
“Certainly Pio has a great score at the moment, compared to the matches played.”
What Comes Next
Italy next play Belgium away, a match where the Azzurri can secure a quarterfinal place as group winners. Italy lost at home to Belgium in Mancini’s first match back in charge, but the team has looked transformed since then.
“I am happy that I and we are doing well,” Esposito said.