Italy answered their opening defeat in the best possible fashion, scoring three times before the break on the way to a thumping 4-1 Nations League win over Türkiye in Bursa.
Italy take control before half-time
Alessandro Bastoni settled Italy quickly, meeting a corner and clipping the ball high into the net for the opening goal. Roberto Mancini's side did not ease off.
Davide Frattesi doubled the lead after Michael Kayode's effort had been parried, reacting first to turn in the rebound. Kayode then made the night his own, drilling home Italy's third on his senior international debut.
Three goals up by half-time, Italy had produced exactly the sort of forceful response their supporters wanted after Friday's 2-0 home defeat by Belgium.
Esposito kills off Türkiye fightback
Türkiye gave the home crowd hope shortly after the restart when Barış Alper Yılmaz pulled one back. Any prospect of a comeback disappeared almost immediately.
Pio Esposito rose to head in Italy's fourth, restoring the three-goal cushion and closing the door on the hosts. The striker celebrated alongside his brother Sebastiano as Italy saw out a convincing first win of their Nations League campaign.
A night to remember for Kayode
Kayode's part in two first-half goals was the standout individual story. The Brentford defender helped create Frattesi's finish before marking his debut with a goal of his own.
For Italy, though, the wider significance was the reaction. They arrived in Bursa under pressure after losing their opener and finished the night with four different scorers, three points and renewed confidence before facing France.
Match details
Türkiye 1-4 Italy
Alessandro Bastoni, Davide Frattesi, Michael Kayode, Pio Esposito; Barış Alper Yılmaz
Monday 28 September 2026
UEFA Nations League
Atatürk Spor Kompleksi Matlı Stadyumu, Bursa
See the final score and match record in the LiveFootballNow match centre.
What comes next
Italy face France away on Friday 2 October, while Türkiye play Belgium in Brussels on the same evening. Both sides then meet again in Italy three days later.