After setting a new record for their fastest-ever goal conceded, it seemed Italy were set to continue their struggles on Friday evening, following a dismal defence of their European title.

When Bradley Barcola stole the ball from Giovanni Di Lorenzo and fired past Azzurri captain Gianluigi Donnarumma after just 13 seconds, gloom could have descended on Luciano Spalletti's side; instead, they launched a stirring fightback.

First, Federico Dimarco combined with the recalled Sandro Tonali to score a sublime equaliser, then Davide Frattesi put them in front before substitute Giacomo Raspadori wrapped up the points on 74 minutes.

Beating France 3-1 at Parc des Princes brought Italy's first win in Paris for 70 years, and also gave credence to Spalletti's talk of a fresh start.

At Euro 2024, the Azzurri never really found their rhythm and ultimately limped out in the last 16, so some new blood has been brought in for their latest quest to claim a first Nations League title.

Spalletti's predecessor, Euro 2020-winner Roberto Mancini, departed after leading his country to the 2023 finals, and then to a third place finish in the four-team tournament.

In order to go at least one better this time around, Italy must claim a top-two placing in League A Group 2, which would see them qualify for the new quarter-final stage.

While the Italians are targeting a place in the finals, Israel may have a tough time avoiding relegation, as fourth-placed teams are automatically demoted and finishing third results in a playoff.

Drawn into a particularly difficult group, they were promoted from League B in 2022, having topped a group featuring Iceland, Albania and - initially - Russia.

However, the calibre of opponents has stepped up a notch this season, and despite pulling themselves level against Belgium on Friday evening, Ran Ben Shimon's side were eventually beaten 3-1 by a Kevin De Bruyne-inspired side in the Hungarian city of Debrecen.

The Sky Blue and Whites had previously missed out on Euro 2024 due to defeat in the playoffs, where they were beaten 4-1 by Iceland, and it has been more than 50 years since they last made a major tournament appearance.

With conflict in the Middle East making any prospect of hosting games on home turf all but impossible, Israel remain in exile: once again, they must play in Hungary on Monday evening.