Italy bounced back from their opening defeat in style on Monday night, beating Turkey 4-1 in Bursa. Alessandro Bastoni, Davide Frattesi and debutant Michael Kayode scored inside the first 27 minutes, and Francesco Pio Esposito added a fourth after Baris Alper Yilmaz had pulled one back. The win lifts Roberto Mancini’s side level on points with Belgium in Nations League Group A1.
Here is the Turkey vs Italy result in full, how the Azzurri blew their hosts away, and what it sets up for a big week that includes a trip to Paris.
Turkey vs Italy Result: Key Facts
- Final score: Turkey 1-4 Italy (half-time 0-3)
- Italy scorers: Alessandro Bastoni (9′), Davide Frattesi (22′), Michael Kayode (27′), Francesco Pio Esposito (50′)
- Turkey scorer: Baris Alper Yilmaz (46′)
- Date: Monday, 28 September 2026
- Kick-off: 21:45 EAT
- Venue: Bursa, Turkey
- Competition: UEFA Nations League, League A, Group A1, Matchday 2
- Coaches: Vincenzo Montella (Turkey), Roberto Mancini (Italy)
- Group A1 after two games: France 6 points, Belgium 3, Italy 3, Turkey 0
A Much Changed Italy Side
Italy arrived in Bursa under pressure after losing 2-0 at home to Belgium in Rome on Friday. Mancini responded by making eight changes to his starting line-up and handing first caps to three players: right-back Michael Kayode, left-back Matteo Ruggeri and forward Sebastiano Esposito.
The selection also put brothers Sebastiano and Francesco Pio Esposito in the same Italy attack, a rare sight for the Azzurri and a story that Italian fans will be talking about for a while.
Italy lined up in a 4-3-3: Gianluigi Donnarumma in goal; Kayode, Giorgio Scalvini, Bastoni and Ruggeri across the back; Frattesi, Nicolo Fagioli and Sandro Tonali in midfield; and Giacomo Raspadori, Pio Esposito and Sebastiano Esposito in attack.
How Italy Took Control in the First Half
The fresh legs made an instant difference. Italy were quicker, sharper and far more direct than they had been against Belgium, and the pressure told early.
Bastoni opens the scoring
Bastoni gave Italy the lead in the ninth minute, a centre-back popping up with the opener to settle any nerves on a rainy night in Bursa.
Frattesi doubles the lead
Frattesi made it 2-0 in the 22nd minute. Turkey had no answer to Italy’s tempo and movement.
Kayode marks his debut with a goal
Five minutes later the game was effectively over. Kayode, one of the three debutants, scored Italy’s third in the 27th minute. Three goals inside half an hour was a blistering start and exactly the response Mancini wanted after Friday.
Turkey Rally, Pio Esposito Ends It
Turkey came out after the break with far more intent. It paid off almost immediately, with Baris Alper Yilmaz pulling a goal back in the 46th minute to give the home crowd hope.
That hope lasted four minutes. Pio Esposito restored the three-goal cushion in the 50th minute, and Italy’s new-look attack looked comfortable for the rest of the night. From there Italy managed the game without much trouble and could have added more.
Talking Points From Turkey vs Italy
Mancini’s gamble paid off
Eight changes after a home defeat is a big call. It could have looked like panic, but the new faces gave Italy energy and belief. Kayode in particular will be hard to drop.
Pio Esposito is Italy’s striker of the future, and maybe the present
The young forward led the line well alongside his brother and got his goal. On this evidence he should keep his place for the trip to Paris.
Turkey are in trouble
Two games, two defeats and only one goal scored. Montella’s side face Belgium away and Italy away in their next two fixtures, so this group could get away from them quickly.
What Is Next for Italy and Turkey?
Italy’s next test is the biggest in the group so far: France at the Stade de France on Friday, 2 October 2026, kick-off 21:45 EAT. Zinedine Zidane’s side are top with six points after beating Belgium 1-0 in Brussels on the same night Italy won in Bursa. Our Belgium vs France preview has more on how Zidane’s side set up.
Italy then host Turkey in the reverse fixture at the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara in Bologna on Monday, 5 October, also at 21:45 EAT. Turkey travel to Belgium on Friday, 2 October before that trip to Italy.
For tips on the next round of Nations League games, visit our football predictions page, and look back at our pre-match Turkey vs Italy prediction. Official line-ups and match reports are on the Italian Football Federation website.
Turkey vs Italy: FAQs
What was the Turkey vs Italy score?
Italy won 4-1 in Bursa on 28 September 2026. They led 3-0 at half-time.
Who scored for Italy against Turkey?
Alessandro Bastoni, Davide Frattesi, Michael Kayode and Francesco Pio Esposito scored for Italy. Baris Alper Yilmaz scored Turkey’s goal.
Who made their Italy debut against Turkey?
Michael Kayode, Matteo Ruggeri and Sebastiano Esposito all won their first caps, and Kayode scored on his debut.
When do Italy play France in the Nations League?
Italy face France at the Stade de France in Paris on Friday, 2 October 2026, with kick-off at 21:45 EAT.
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