Rabiot Emulates Zidane with a Historic Brace Against Italy
With a double against Italy, Adrien Rabiot became the first player to score two headed goals for the French national team in an official match since Zinedine Zidane did so in the 1998 World Cup final.
While his head may not be as smooth or bald, it is just as effective and lethal. Rabiot netted two headers in Les Bleus' 3-1 victory over Italy at San Siro this Sunday in the Nations League, putting him on par with the legendary Zinedine Zidane. The midfielder is now the first player to achieve a headed brace for France in an official competition since Zidane, who cemented his status as a legend during the 1998 World Cup final, where France dominated Brazil (3-0), a match forever etched in the memories of French fans.
In that unforgettable final, Zidane scored thanks to two perfectly executed corners by Youri Djorkaeff. Similarly, Rabiot benefitted from Lucas Digne’s precise crosses this Sunday, who was flawless on the San Siro pitch.
Rabiot not only stood out for his goals but also played a crucial role in all three of France’s goals. The Aston Villa player provided the assists that led to his own goals, guiding Les Bleus to a convincing victory on Italian soil. This triumph allowed Didier Deschamps' men to bounce back after a disappointing performance against Israel three days earlier, reclaim the top spot in the group from Italy, and, of course, get their revenge against the Azzurri. All in all, it was a perfect night for the French team.
