Italy strengthened their UEFA Nations League quarterfinal hopes with a hard-fought 3-1 victory over Turkey at the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara in Bologna.

Gianluca Scamacca opened the scoring in the first half before Aral Şimşir brought Turkey level after the break. The visitors’ celebrations lasted only three minutes, however, as substitute Riccardo Calafiori headed Italy back in front with his first senior international goal.

Francesco Pio Esposito completed the victory with a late tap-in, moving Roberto Mancini’s team above Belgium into second place in Group A1.

For Calafiori, a former Bologna defender rather than a Bologna youth product, scoring at his old home ground made the occasion particularly emotional. The Arsenal star described the moment as something that felt “written in the stars.”

Italy vs Turkey Match Summary

• Competition: UEFA Nations League
• Date: October 5, 2026
• Venue: Stadio Renato Dall’Ara, Bologna
• Result: Italy 3-1 Turkey
• Italy scorers: Gianluca Scamacca 26’, Riccardo Calafiori 64’, Pio Esposito 87’
• Turkey scorer: Aral Şimşir 61’
• Group position: Italy moved into second place with seven points

Scamacca Gives Italy a First-Half Lead

Mancini made several changes to his attacking lineup, selecting Daniel Maldini, Gianluca Scamacca and Antonio Vergara as Italy’s front three.

The Azzurri did not immediately dominate proceedings, with Turkey enjoying periods of possession and attempting to disrupt Italy’s rhythm. However, the home side gradually began to create openings.

Scamacca broke the deadlock in the 26th minute. The striker reacted inside the penalty area and produced a controlled volley to beat Uğurcan Çakır, giving Italy a 1-0 advantage.

It was Scamacca’s first international goal in three years and an important moment for a forward attempting to re-establish himself as Italy’s leading striker.

Turkey continued to compete and showed that they were not prepared to accept another heavy defeat after losing 4-1 to Italy in the reverse fixture. However, the Azzurri protected their narrow lead until halftime.

Aral Şimşir Brings Turkey Level

Turkey responded strongly during the second half and were rewarded in the 61st minute.

Eren Elmalı played an intelligent pass inside the Italian defence before Zeki Çelik delivered a low cross into the penalty area. Yunus Akgün helped move the ball across goal, taking Gianluigi Donnarumma out of the play and allowing Şimşir to finish into an unguarded net.

It was Şimşir’s first senior international goal and briefly gave Turkey hope of collecting their first points of the group campaign.

Italy’s response, however, was immediate.

Calafiori Scores First Italy Goal in Bologna

Only three minutes after Turkey equalised, Nicolò Barella delivered a free kick towards the far post. Calafiori climbed above his marker and directed a looping header beyond Çakır to restore Italy’s advantage.

The goal was Calafiori’s first for the senior Italian national team.

It was also an emotional moment for the Arsenal defender, who spent the 2023/24 season with Bologna and established himself as one of Serie A’s most impressive defenders at the Renato Dall’Ara.

“There’s something written for me in this city and in this stadium,” Calafiori said after the match, reflecting on his special connection with Bologna. He also admitted that he had not felt so emotional before a match for a long time.

Although Calafiori did not emerge from Bologna’s academy—he developed in Roma’s youth system—his transformational season with the Rossoblù made the Dall’Ara feel like a football homecoming.

Calafiori Makes an Immediate Impact From the Bench

Calafiori began the match among the substitutes as Mancini selected Matteo Ruggeri on the left side of defence.

The Arsenal defender entered the game in the 56th minute and needed only eight minutes to make a decisive contribution. His goal demonstrated the qualities that made him such a popular figure during his time in Bologna: aggression, intelligent movement and confidence in attacking situations.

Calafiori’s aerial finish was particularly important because it prevented Turkey from building momentum after their equaliser.

Instead, Italy quickly regained control of the contest.

Pio Esposito Seals Italy’s Victory

Turkey pushed forward in search of a second equaliser, forcing Italy to defend under pressure during parts of the closing period.

Donnarumma made important interventions to protect the lead before Pio Esposito settled the result in the 87th minute.

The move began with Issa Doumbia driving down the right and beating multiple defenders. Alessandro Romano then received the ball inside the area and directed it towards goal, where Esposito reacted quickest to turn it into the net.

The striker’s close-range finish completed a 3-1 victory and continued his impressive development for the national team.

Esposito has become an increasingly valuable option for Mancini, providing physical presence, movement and a natural penalty-box instinct.

Italy Continue Their Recovery Under Roberto Mancini

Italy began their Nations League campaign with a disappointing 2-0 home defeat to Belgium, putting immediate pressure on Mancini following his return for a second spell as national-team coach.

The Azzurri have responded positively.

They defeated Turkey 4-1 away, earned a competitive 1-1 draw against France at the Stade de France and then completed the double over Turkey with victory in Bologna.

Italy have now taken seven points from their last three group matches, providing encouraging signs that Mancini’s rebuilding project is beginning to take shape.

The performance against Turkey was not perfect, but Italy displayed resilience. They responded immediately after conceding and found decisive contributions from both established players and younger members of the squad.

Updated Nations League Group A1 Standings

Following France’s 4-1 victory over Belgium and Italy’s win in Bologna, Group A1 stands as follows:

Italy are now three points behind France and one ahead of Belgium. Turkey remain bottom after losing all four matches and have been eliminated from quarterfinal contention.

Italy’s final group matches against France and Belgium will therefore be crucial. Mancini’s side have placed themselves in a strong position, but qualification is not yet secure.

The victory also guarantees that Italy will be seeded for the next European Championship qualifying draw, giving the Azzurri an additional reward for their recent improvement.

Calafiori’s Goal Symbolises Italy’s Growing Confidence

Italy’s victory belonged to the entire team, but Calafiori’s homecoming goal provided the defining image.

The defender returned to the stadium where he revived his career, scored his first international goal and helped his country move closer to the Nations League quarterfinals.

Scamacca’s return to the scoresheet was another positive development, while Esposito once again showed why he is regarded as an important part of Italy’s future.

For Mancini, the result provided further evidence that the Azzurri are moving in the right direction. They remain behind France, but with two decisive matches remaining, Italy are firmly back in the qualification race.

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