'Magnificent' Sandro Tonali plays full game for Italy while providing stunning assist

Sandro Tonali is back! After 10 months out of the game for breaching betting rules the Newcastle United midfielder played his first full match last night.

Eddie Howe has given the Italian 84 minutes over two games since his ban was complete but now back representing his country, Sandro Tonali completed the full 90 minutes in a 3-1 win over France in the Nations League on Friday night.

It wasn't just a case of going through the motions either, fans online have been cooing over Tonali's performance with one fan on X comparing him to Zinedine Zidane.

Bradley Barcola got France off to a flying start with a goal in the opening minute and it took 30 minutes for Italy to respond with Tonali involved in the equaliser.

Sandro Tonali's back heel for Dimarco's goal was sublime

Italy passed the ball across the France box and as the ball bounced up for Tonali he placed a perfect back-heeled pass over the top of the France defence for Federico Dimarco to run onto and bury beyond Mike Maignan.

Italy went on to win 3-1, and after the match, manager Luciano Spalletti praised the Newcastle man.

"He put in a magnificent performance. We were a bit worried he wouldn't be able to play the full 90 minutes but in the final stages he went on a couple of driving runs and almost got through on goal. We've got a great player back."

If Tonali can replicate that form for Newcastle we'll be fine

Tonali's game was about more than just the assist as he ran France ragged for 90 minutes.

Italy take on Israel on Monday and we'll of course be hoping for another top performance by Tonali, but more importantly that he comes through unscathed.

If Sandro can take the form of last night into this season for Newcastle then things might not be so bad after all.