France beats Italy in World Cup warm up

NICE, France — France showed glimpses of its attacking potential with a 3-1 home win against Italy in a World Cup warmup match on Friday.

Antoine Griezmann and Ousmane Dembele scored, while Kylian Mbappe was involved in center half Samuel Umtiti's opening goal.

Center half Leonardo Bonucci briefly gave Italy hope when he made it 2-1 after 36 minutes.

France could have scored more with midfielder N'Golo Kante hitting the post and Florian Thauvin seeing his late volley brilliantly saved.

"It really could have been a heavier defeat," France coach Didier Deschamps said. "We have the ability to play fast and create chances. If we could finish better then we'd feel more comfortable during games."

Umtiti tapped home from close range after eight minutes at the Allianz Riviera stadium in the southern city of Nice, scoring when Mbappe's volley from right back Benjamin Pavard's cross hit goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu's leg and fell kindly to him.

France's 22-year-old fullbacks both impressed, but especially left back Lucas Hernandez with his surging runs.

In the 29th minute, he ignored Griezmann's call to pass and carried on sprinting into the penalty area, where he was upended.

Griezmann was probably glad Hernandez didn't listen.