FULL TIME: FRANCE 3 - 1 ITALY

Donadoni cuts a forlorn figure on the Azzurri bench - they've not performed that badly but France have been outstanding.

Italy haven't been able to match the desire shown by France and their World Cup hangover continues.

Di Michele tries to lift a volley over Coupet but the French keeper recovers his ground and prevents a late goal.

French favourite Ribery is replaced by Manchester United's Louis Saha.

Gilardino is replaced by Daniele De Rossi.

A fine throughball by Gattuso picks out Gilardino but Gallas intervenes and it's a corner to Italy.

Italy may be World Champions but they'll find themselves five points behind Scotland now in Group B - Donadoni will face the wrath of the Italian media in the morning.

Decent effort by Gilardino but his shot arrows wide of Coupet's goal.

Inzaghi loses the ball and throws himself to the ground. No foul, play on waves the referee.

Italy are looking busy but France can't be hurried out of possession.

Vieira has revelled in the role of skipper this evening and he looks totally in control in the centre of the park.

Italy have looked most dangerous from Pirlo's set-pieces and Cannavaro climbs to head an effort goalwards. Coupet turns it around for a corner.

A strong challenge from Vieira has Perrotta writhing in agony. It was a great challenge and Vieira won the ball.

It's a standing ovation for two-goal hero Govou who is replaced by Wiltord.

Inzaghi replaces the disappointing Cassano.

'Ole, Ole' rings around the stadium as the French side go close through Ribery. Revenge for Berlin looks inevitable now.

France are looking dangerous on the counter and with Henry's pace they look good for more goals - Italy need to start taking risks.

Di Michele has a half chance but Sagnol takes the ball off his toe-end before he can get his shot off.

The Italians are broken down again at the back and this time Henry's ball to Malouda sees the Frenchman checked in the box. No penalty.

At the other end Ribery breaks to Henry who creates a chance for Govou. His shot was smartly turned round the corner by Buffon but the referee bizarrely gives a goal kick.

He played for the foul but Coupet was rash with his challenge and we've seen them given before.

Gilardino goes looking for a penalty and is booked for a dive.

The volatile Italian temperament is starting to come out - Cassano looks dejected after losing possession but looks to blame anyone but himself.

The fluency and incisiveness of the French attacking football means that they thoroughly deserve their two-goal advantage.

It was a lengthy delay before the restart and Cannavaro has come off worse and looks slightly concussed. The Italian captain bravely continues.

Both Govou and Cannavaro need treatment after the clash of heads but it's the Frenchman who is back to his feet with a smile on his face.

FRANCE 3 - 1 ITALY: A fantastic cross from Sagnol is met by SIDNEY GOVOU and he bravely beats Cannavaro to the ball and heads home.

After some midfield exchanges, Italy decide to make their first change - Semioli replaced by David Di Michele.

Vieira gets onto the resulting flag kick but was off balance and his header goes wide.

Ribery plays a free kick into the box from the touchline and Barzagli can only slice wide for corner.

Govou goes down claiming a penalty - no chance.

It's not the lively start we had to the first half as Inzaghi warms up on the touchline. He's not in the same league as a player like Henry but he knows where the goal is

Cannavaro has carried his World Cup form into this game and his reading of the game is exceptional.

France kick off the second half with Italy knowing that defeat will leave them slightly adrift in Group B.

We're a little behind the scheduled start time in France as news filters through that England are leading in Macedonia.

HALF TIME: FRANCE 2 - 1 ITALY

The whistle goes for half time. France deserve their lead but Italy are by no means out of it.

Perrotta is booked for kicking the ball away. It seems harsh as he didn't look like he heard the referee blow up. He will now miss the next Italy game against Ukraine.

France have played the ball from left to right and kept quality possession for the last two minutes - Italy just can't get a kick.

Malouda takes out retribution on Perrotta but play resumes quickly with no action taken. It's been a competitive but fair game so far.

A game which could have been a do or die battle has sparkled with quality - as Henry is chopped down by Gattuso!

Vieira tries his luck from distance but Gattuso blocks.

Typifying the French determination, Henry chases back but unfairly tugs at Pirlo and is rightly booked.

Les Bleus are snapping into every tackle and after winning the ball in midfield, Malouda has his shot blocked.

A sustained period of French pressure comes to nothing but some of the football is a delight to behold.

Despite the quality in either defence there looks to be more goals in this one with a refreshing openness to proceedings.

It will be hard for both sides to keep playing at this pace as France again launch another quick break, Govou's cross is easily cleared.

Cannavaro is booked for Italy as he takes his protests too far.

It was great work down the left by Grosso and there looks to have been a claim for an Italian penalty with Abidal impeding Semioli.

Semioli comes within inches of an equaliser but Coupet claws away his effort from six yards.

The game has fantastic ebb and flow with both sides showing inventiveness in attack.

A fantastic ball from Zambrotta nearly picks out Cannavaro but Sagnol intervenes - back up the pitch we go and Sagnol forces an excellent save from Buffon.

It's end to end. Malouda's cross is claimed by Buffon. A quick breaks ends up in Abidal fouling Semioli on the Italian right side.

Cassano's cute throughball just catches Gilardino narrowly offside. It was imperative they got back into the game quickly and Italy are now dominating possession.

FRANCE 2 - 1 ITALY: A fantastic match gets even better as Pirlo's whipped free kick picks out ALBERTO GILARDINO and his header easily beats Coupet.

The second goal was always coming and the French side are making amends for the World Cup Final defeat.

FRANCE 2 - 0 ITALY: Malouda strikes from distance and Buffon is unable to deal with the swerving ball. It falls to THIERRY HENRY and he makes no mistake.

France look really up for this one and Henry shows incredible pace down the left flank.

Right on cue, Vieira picks out Henry and he turns Cannavaro but his ball across the six yard box is cut out by Barzagli.

With France just playing with Henry in attack, their numbers across midfield and defence mean that they look comfortable.

Gilardino is unable to get on to a long througball from Semioli

Another corner to France, Ribery sends it over but it's blocked. His second ball is more threatening but no forwards can get on the end of it.

The ever-impressive Ribery gets through more good work in midfield but is unable to find Malouda.

A Pirlo free kick from distance goes harmlessly wide.

The Italians have responded well to the shock of going behind and Pirlo and Cassano look a threat.

Zambrotta finds space as the French sit back on their opening salvo and fires just over with a shot from the edge of the box.

FRANCE 1 - 0 ITALY: France open the scoring in the opening minutes as a William Gallas cross is smashed home on the volley by SIDNEY GOVOU.

An enterprising start for France and Abidal's centre is headed behind for a corner in the opening minute.

The match kicks off with a crackling atmosphere in the Stade de France.

Only seven of the World Cup winning side start for Italy this evening.

New coach Roberto Donadoni's side slipped up in their first competitive match since their World Cup win, drawing 1-1 against Lithuania on Saturday and will be desperate to avoid defeat.

And despite the absence of the retired Zidane and suspended Materazzi, this promises to be a tasty affair.

It's rare that a Euro Qualifier throws up a fixture as eagerly as anticipated as this repeat of the World Cup Final.