Italy climbed to second place in UEFA Nations League Group 1 on October 5, 2026, after securing a 3-1 away victory against Turkey. Gianluca Scamacca, Riccardo Calafiori, and Pio Esposito scored for Italy, pushing Turkey to the bottom of the standings and leaving the hosts facing the threat of relegation from League A.
Heavy Rotations Shape Group 1 Clash
Lineup changes marked the match as both teams heavily rotated their squads following previous fixtures. Italy made nine changes from the team that drew with France, while Turkey shuffled six players from their prior outing. Despite the wholesale changes, Turkey emerged as the more dangerous side during the opening exchanges. Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma had to dive low to stop a shot from Ozan Kabak and was tested early by Salih Özcan.
Scamacca Breaks the Deadlock
Italy seized the lead against the run of play midway through the first half, converting their only shot on target in the opening 45 minutes. Turkey failed to clear a cross from Giovanni Di Lorenzo, allowing Scamacca to strike a powerful shot off the crossbar and into the net for a 1-0 advantage. The Atalanta striker celebrated the goal with visible reluctance, signaling the team’s dissatisfaction with their opening performance.
Italy Beats Turkey 3-1
Turkey finally equalized on the hour mark. Goalkeeper Mert Çakir had just denied Felix Correira before Zeki Çelik delivered a low cross to the back post, where Kerem Şimşir tapped it in to make it 1-1. The parity lasted only briefly. Calafiori restored Italy’s lead moments later, heading in an angled cross to make it 2-1. Donnarumma preserved the lead in the closing stages by denying Özcan an equalizer, before substitute Esposito secured the 3-1 final scoreline in stoppage time following an attacking buildup involving Doumbia.
Italy Trails France in Group 1
The result leaves Italy second in Group 1 with seven points from four matches, three points behind leaders France, who hold 10 points. Belgium sits third with six points.
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