Italy beat Turkey 3-1 in Bologna on Monday night to move second in Nations League Group A1. Gianluca Scamacca opened the scoring, Aral Şimşir levelled for Turkey on the hour, but Riccardo Calafiori headed Italy back in front within four minutes and Francesco Pio Esposito sealed it late on. The Italy vs Turkey result leaves Roberto Mancini’s side on seven points, three behind leaders France, while Turkey remain pointless.
Italy vs Turkey: Key Facts
- Result: Italy 3-1 Turkey
- Competition: UEFA Nations League, League A, Group 1 (Matchday 4)
- Date: Monday, 5 October 2026
- Venue: Stadio Renato Dall’Ara, Bologna
- Scorers: Scamacca 26′, Calafiori 65′, Pio Esposito 87′ (Italy); Şimşir 61′ (Turkey)
- Group A1 table: France 10 pts, Italy 7, Belgium 6, Turkey 0 (all played four)
How Italy vs Turkey Played Out
Scamacca breaks the deadlock
Italy started on the front foot in Bologna and were rewarded midway through the first half. Scamacca let fly in the 26th minute, and with a little help from a deflection and the crossbar his effort found its way into the net. It was a scrappy goal, but Italy had been the better side and deserved to lead at the break.
Turkey struggled to get their creative players on the ball in the first half and rarely tested the Italian defence. Mancini’s side controlled the tempo without ever looking fully comfortable, and the narrow lead left the door open.
Turkey hit back, Italy respond quickly
Turkey improved after the interval and drew level on 61 minutes. A neat passing move ended with Şimşir finishing from close range, and for a few minutes the visitors looked capable of earning their first point of the campaign.
Italy’s response was immediate. Just four minutes later, Calafiori rose highest to head the hosts back in front. The goal settled the nerves inside the Dall’Ara, and Italy managed the game from there.
Turkey pushed in the closing stages, but that only created space at the other end. With three minutes left, Pio Esposito reacted first in the box and steered the ball home to make it 3-1 and close the game out.
Talking Points From Italy 3-1 Turkey
1. Not pretty, but Italy keep winning
This was not a vintage Italian display. There were spells where Turkey looked the more dangerous side, and the equaliser exposed some loose defending. But good teams win when they are not at their best, and Italy found a way. After the frustrating 1-1 draw in Paris on Friday, three points was all that mattered.
2. Calafiori’s set-piece threat
Calafiori’s header was the turning point. Defenders who score are priceless in tight international games, and Italy’s aerial threat in the box is a genuine weapon. Bettors looking at goalscorer markets in Italy’s remaining games should not ignore their centre-backs.
3. Pio Esposito keeps knocking on the door
Pio Esposito’s late finish was another reminder that Italy have options up front. With Scamacca also on the scoresheet, Mancini has healthy competition for the number nine role heading into the decisive November games.
4. Turkey’s campaign is in trouble
Four games, four defeats. Turkey have now lost twice to Italy, after the 4-1 defeat at home last month, and were beaten 3-0 by Belgium on Friday. They showed spirit to equalise here, but defensive lapses keep costing them. Avoiding relegation to League B is now the realistic target.
Group A1 Race: What Italy Need
Italy have two games left: away to Belgium and at home to France in November. Belgium are only a point behind on six, so that trip looks like the key fixture in the race for second place. A win there would almost certainly secure a quarter-final spot, while a defeat would hand the advantage to the Belgians.
France, three points clear on 10, came from behind to beat Belgium 4-1 on the same night. Read our full report on that game, and check our Italy vs Turkey prediction to see how our pre-match tips compared. For upcoming fixtures, visit our football predictions section. Official tables are on the UEFA Nations League website.
Betting Takeaways
Italy have scored seven goals in their two games against Turkey, and their matches are producing chances at both ends. Over 2.5 goals has landed in both meetings with the Turks. Against France, however, the game was far tighter and finished 1-1, so treat goals markets carefully in November and wait for team news before backing anything.
FAQs: Italy vs Turkey
What was the score in Italy vs Turkey?
Italy beat Turkey 3-1 at the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara in Bologna on 5 October 2026.
Who scored in Italy vs Turkey?
Gianluca Scamacca, Riccardo Calafiori and Francesco Pio Esposito scored for Italy. Aral Şimşir scored Turkey’s goal.
Where are Italy in the Nations League table?
Italy are second in Group A1 with seven points from four games, three behind France and one ahead of Belgium.
Who do Italy play next in the Nations League?
Italy’s last two group games are away to Belgium and at home to France in the November international window.
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