Esposito seals Italy win over Turkey in Nations League

Italy secured a 3-1 victory over Turkey in a UEFA Nations League match at the Renato Dall Ara Stadium in Bologna on Monday, keeping their hopes alive for the quarter-finals. Forward Gianluca Scamacca gave Italy the lead in the 26th minute, only for Aral Simsir to level the score shortly after the hour mark. Italy maintained their advantage with goals from Riccardo Calafiori and Pio Esposito, sealing the win with just three minutes left on the clock.

Italy now sit in second place in Group A1, three points behind leaders France and one point ahead of Belgium. Turkey remains at the bottom of the table without a point. The Azzurri are currently rebuilding under Roberto Mancini, who is in his second spell as coach of a nation that has not qualified for the World Cup in the past three years.

Italy had previously beaten Turkey 4-1 in the reverse fixture and also drew 1-1 with France in Paris. Turkey entered the match with a weakened lineup, lacking key players including suspended Arda Guler and injured Kenan Yildız and Hakan Calhanoglu. The Turkish team showed promise early on, with goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma needing to make quick saves to keep Turkey in the game.

Scamacca scored his second international goal for Italy in the 26th minute, joining a select group of players to achieve that feat.