Calafiori and Esposito lift Italy past Türkiye 3–1

Italy beat Türkiye 3–1 in Bologna on October 5, with Riccardo Calafiori and Francesco Pio Esposito scoring after the visitors had drawn level. The result moved Roberto Mancini’s team into second place in UEFA Nations League Group A1.

Gianluca Scamacca opened the scoring in the 26th minute after his initial header was blocked. He recovered the loose ball and finished beneath the crossbar to give Italy a 1–0 halftime lead.

Aral Şimşir equalized in the 60th minute, but Calafiori restored Italy’s advantage four minutes later by heading in Nicolò Barella’s free kick. It was Calafiori’s first senior international goal, the Italian federation reported.

Esposito added the third in the 88th minute, finishing from Alessandro Romano’s ball across goal. Italy remains in contention for the quarterfinals and completes its group schedule against France in Milan on November 12 and Belgium in Brussels on November 15.