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France hit the front almost straight from Italy kicking off as Giovanni Di Lorenzo took too long on the ball, allowing Bradley Barcola to steal possession before driving into the box and side-footing past Gianluigi Donnarumma.

Italy should have levelled just five minutes later, but Davide Frattesi could only rattle the crossbar with his header with the goal gaping, then Mateo Retegui diverted the rebound over the top.

The Azzurri were back on terms through a magnificent goal on the half-hour mark, though. Sandro Tonali played a sumptuous flick over the top of the France backline, and Federico Dimarco hammered a brilliant left-footed volley across Mike Maignan and into the far corner.

Barcola saw an effort deflect narrowly wide of Donnrumma's goal before half-time, but the third goal went Italy's way five minutes into the second half. Youssouf Fofana lost possession cheaply and Luciano Spalletti's men made France pay, Retegui crossing low for Frattesi to slide it home at the far post.

Despite France enjoying plenty of possession, Italy extended its advantage with 14 minutes to play, Giacomo Raspadori side-footing past Maignan after being teed up by Destiny Ugodie.

Antoine Griezmann almost set up a grandstand finish when he curled narrowly wide of the left-hand post, but that was as close as France came in the dying stages, with the full-time whistle prompting a chorus of boos from the home fans.

Italy faces Israel in its second game in Group A2 next week, while the pressure is on for Didier Deschamps's Bleus as they host Belgium.

This victory was Italy's first over France at Parc des Princes, with the Azzurri recording three draws and one defeat in the teams' previous four meetings at the venue.

Only two Italy players found the net across those four previous matches, with Alessandro Del Piero and Pierluigi Casiraghi both netting in a 2-2 friendly draw in 1997.

Prior to Dimarco's equaliser, a stunning volley teed up in expert fashion by Tonali, the last Italy player to score against France in a competitive match was Danielle De Rossi, who netted in a 2-0 group-stage victory for the Azzurri at UEFA Euro 2008.

Like France, Italy endured a dismal UEFA Euro 2024 campaign, scraping through its group before being dumped out by Switzerland in the Round of 16, but coach Luciano Spalletti saw a different side to his players against Les Bleus.

"I saw an intensity during training that we didn't have last time," Spalletti said. "Perhaps the players' physical shape had a role. 

"The season has just started, and there is new enthusiasm. The other time, it was the end [of the season], and there had been things that perhaps led some to switch off.

"They bounced back tonight. Regardless of how this game went, we would have continued playing forever.

"It's in the DNA of this group I've chosen for the Nations League and the World Cup qualifiers.

"Three, four or five players have stayed home this time, but generally we are convinced that this group can give us so much."