Italy beat Turkey again to strengthen Nations League hold

Italy have consolidated second place in League A, Group 1 of the Nations League after beating Turkey for the second time in the current international window. The result leaves the Azzurri two points behind France and one point ahead of Belgium. Italy will meet both of those rivals again during the next international gathering, with their position still directly tied to those fixtures.

Italy won 3-1 in Bologna, following their earlier 4-1 victory over Turkey. Gianluca Scamacca put the hosts ahead in the 26th minute with a finish from inside the area. Turkey, without Arda Güler, responded with a collective move completed by Emrehan Gedikli Simsir in the 61st minute. The visitors had controlled much of the opening half despite conceding first, but their equaliser did not change the outcome.

Riccardo Calafiori restored Italy’s lead three minutes later, rising to meet a free-kick and directing his header into the opposite top corner. Pio Esposito then added the third in the 87th minute to settle the match. The win completed a positive recovery from Italy’s difficult start to the window, which began with a 2-0 loss to Belgium. They followed that defeat with a draw against France and two victories over Turkey, ending the sequence behind France but above Belgium in the group standings.