Italy 3-1 Türkiye: Scamacca, Calafiori & Esposito seal Nations League win

Italy produced a hard-earned 3-1 victory over Türkiye in Bologna to strengthen their push for a place in the UEFA Nations League quarter-finals and continue their upward trajectory under Roberto Mancini.

The hosts made a measured start at the Renato Dall’Ara but seized control midway through the first half when Gianluca Scamacca opened the scoring in the 26th minute. Giovanni Di Lorenzo’s cross from the right took a slight deflection into the striker’s path, and Scamacca needed no second invitation, lashing a fierce right-footed finish high into the net off the underside of the crossbar for his second international goal.

Türkiye, still searching for their first points of the campaign under Vincenzo Montella, remained competitive and enjoyed the greater share of possession. They were rewarded just after the hour when Aral Simsir equalised. Zeki Çelik’s delivery from the right was cleverly flicked on by Eren Elmali, and Simsir was left unmarked at the far post to poke the ball home from close range for his first senior international goal.

Any thoughts of a Turkish revival lasted barely three minutes. Nicolò Barella swung in a free-kick from the right and substitute Riccardo Calafiori, only recently introduced, rose highest to power a towering header past Ugurcan Cakir and restore Italy’s lead. It was the Arsenal defender’s first goal for the Azzurri and a moment of particular satisfaction for the former Bologna man in front of appreciative home supporters.

Gianluigi Donnarumma produced an important save to deny Salih Ozcan as Türkiye pressed for a second equaliser, but Italy remained clinical on the counter. In the 87th minute the points were secured when another substitute, Francesco Pio Esposito, turned home Alessandro Romano’s cross from close range after Issa Doumbia’s surging run had carved open the visiting defence.

The result leaves Italy second in Group A1 on seven points, three behind leaders France, while Türkiye remain bottom and pointless after four matches. Mancini’s side have now taken six points from their two meetings with the Turks this campaign and head into the November internationals with growing confidence.