Italy defeated Turkey 3-1 to claim a remarkable victory at home and move into second place in UEFA Nations League Group A1.
Gianluca Scamacca opened the scoring for Azzurri in the first half before Aral ÅžimÅŸir brought the visitors level after the break.
Arsenal’s Riccardo Calafiori quickly restored the lead, while Pio Esposito scored late to seal another important victory for Roberto Mancini’s side.
The result means they have now collected seven points from their first four matches in the group and remain behind leaders France.
The Turkish national team, meanwhile, continue to struggle at the bottom of the group after another defeat. Turkey started the match with confidence and created some of the early chances.
Gianluigi Donnarumma was forced into action when he got down to save a low effort from Ozan Kabak. The goalkeeper was also alert to deny Yunus Akgün after a mistake in midfield gave Turkey an opening.
Italy initially thought they had taken the lead when Scamacca found the net in the 23rd minute, but the goal was ruled out for offside. The striker did not have to wait long for another opportunity.
In the 26th minute, Giovanni Di Lorenzo sent a cross into the box. The ball came off Ozan Kabak and fell perfectly for Scamacca, who reacted quickly and smashed a powerful volley into the net.
The strike went in off the underside of the crossbar to give Italy a 1-0 lead. Turkey continued to threaten after going behind in the match which opened up a bit more for both sides.
Aral ÅžimÅŸir had a good opportunity with a header at the back post, but Gianluca Mancini was in the right place to clear the danger. The host also had chances to extend their lead in the encounter.
Issa Doumbia was played through by Pio Esposito and forced from the goalkeeper, Uğurcan Çakır into a difficult save with his foot. The away side eventually found the equaliser in the 61st minute to level things.
Zeki Çelik pulled the ball back from the byline before Eren Elmalı flicked it on. Şimşir was left unmarked at the back post and finished the move to make it 1-1. Elmalı was credited with the assist.
The host responded almost immediately, just four minutes after their opponent equalised, Inter Milan Nicolo Barella delivered a free-kick towards the far post.
Arsenal’s Calafiori rose above his marker and headed the ball into the net to put his country back in front. It was a special moment for the defender as it was his first goal for the Italian national team.
The visitors appealed for a foul during the move, but VAR checked the incident and allowed the goal to stand. Turkey pushed forward again in search of another equaliser.
Ismail Yüksek was denied by a timely block from Antonio Vergara, while Donnarumma produced another important save to keep out Salih Özcan’s effort from underneath the crossbar.
Italy then finished the game in the 87th minute. Doumbia saw his shot blocked, and Alessandro Romano followed up with a ball that became an assist for Pio Esposito.
The young striker reacted quickly from close range to score his side third goal and complete the 3-1 win. Italy finished the match with the 3-1 result against Turkey after 90 minutes.
The match also produced several yellow cards from both ends. Scamacca was booked for Italy in the 42nd minute, while Matteo Ruggeri received a yellow card shortly after the restart.
Turkey’s Zeki Çelik was booked in the 55th minute and Abdülkerim Bardakcı was shown a yellow card in the 81st minute.
The host had 45 percent possession compared with Turkey’s 55 percent, but the hosts were more effective with their chances. Italy registered 15 shots, with six on target, while the away side had 14 shots and five on target.
The visitors also won nine corners compared with Italy’s three. The host 3-1 victory gives Mancini’s team another boost needed in their Nations League campaign.
After losing their opening game against Belgium, the Azzurri have responded strongly with a win in Turkey, a draw against France and now another victory over the Turkish national team.
Scamacca’s return to the scoresheet was also important, while Calafiori and Esposito gave their country the goals needed to finish the game strongly.
Italy will now look ahead to their remaining Nations League matches with their hopes of finishing near the top of Group A1 still alive.
