Italy Beat Turkey Again to Move Second in Nations League Group

Italy defeated Turkey for the second time in the UEFA Nations League, winning 3-1 in Bologna on Monday. The victory moved Italy into second place in League A Group 1 with seven points from four matches.

Gianluca Scamacca, Riccardo Calafiori and Pio Esposito scored for Italy, while Aral Simsir netted Turkey’s only goal.

Turkey made a confident start and created three chances inside the opening four minutes. However, they were unable to beat Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.

In the 13th minute, Donnarumma produced a sharp save to deny Ozan Kabak’s effort from outside the box. He then stopped Salih Ozcan’s shot three minutes later before keeping out an unmarked Simsir header.

Italy took the lead with their first major opportunity in the 26th minute. Gianluca Scamacca received the ball after a cross from the right deflected off a Turkish defender and fired a shot that struck the crossbar before finding the net.

It was Scamacca’s second goal for Italy. His first came against England in a Euro qualifier in October 2023.

Turkey had another opportunity to level shortly after the restart, but Simsir’s header was blocked by the Italian defence. Italy responded four minutes later, although Turkish goalkeeper denied Issa Doumbia.

Turkey finally found the equaliser in the 61st minute. Simsir received a backheel pass inside the box and calmly finished into the net.

It was the winger’s first international goal in only his second appearance for Turkey and his first start.

Italy regained the lead just three minutes later. Nicolo Barella delivered a free-kick from the right, and Riccardo Calafiori rose to head the ball into the far corner.

It was Calafiori’s first goal for Italy in his 17th international appearance.

Turkey came close to another equaliser in the 78th minute when Salih Ozcan unleashed a powerful shot, but Donnarumma reacted brilliantly to push it away.

Italy sealed the victory three minutes before full time. Alessandro Romano’s shot was heading towards goal before 21-year-old striker Pio Esposito got a touch to change its direction and send it into the net.

Esposito had also scored against Turkey in their previous meeting.

The result leaves Italy second in Group 1 with seven points from four games. In the other match played at the same time, France beat Belgium 4-1 to move top with 10 points. Belgium remain third on six points.

Turkey, meanwhile, have failed to collect a single point and can no longer qualify for the quarter-finals.

The victory was Roberto Mancini’s first home win since returning for his second spell in charge of Italy.