Roberto Mancini needed a reaction. He got a demolition. Italy stormed to a 4-1 win over Türkiye in the Bursa rain, and the Azzurri found their spark just in time.
Türkiye vs Italy Final Score and Goalscorers
Final score: Türkiye 1-4 Italy, UEFA Nations League, Monday, September 28, 2026.
- Alessandro Bastoni, 9 minutes
- Davide Frattesi, 22 minutes
- Michael Kayode, 27 minutes
- Baris Alper Yilmaz (Türkiye), 47 minutes
- Francesco Pio Esposito, 50 minutes
Mancini’s Bold Response After the Belgium Defeat
Mancini’s return had started badly with a 2-0 home loss to Belgium and jeers from the Rome crowd. His answer was eight changes. Debuts went to Michael Kayode, Matteo Ruggeri and Sebastiano Esposito, who started alongside his brother Pio, the first time brothers started together for Italy since 1915. Nicolo Fagioli made his first appearance since October 2024, and Bastoni came back from suspension.
How Italy Won It in One Half
Italy were ruthless. Pio Esposito’s early drive forced a save from Altay Bayindir, and from the corner that followed, Zeki Celik’s scuffed clearance fell to Bastoni, who swept the ball into the roof of the net. Bastoni had been sent off in the World Cup play-off against Bosnia and Herzegovina, so this was a redemption goal.
The second was pure Italian craft. Frattesi, Esposito and Giacomo Raspadori passed their way through the box, Kayode’s shot was parried, and Frattesi tapped in the rebound.
Five minutes later, debutant Kayode found the same right-side pocket and drilled a shot past Bayindir at the near post. Three goals, 27 minutes, game over.
Türkiye Hit Back, Then Fell Apart
Türkiye gave the crowd hope in the 47th minute. Oguz Aydin pulled Gianluigi Donnarumma wide, and Yilmaz drilled the pass into an empty net.
The hope lasted just three minutes. Sandro Tonali hit the post, and Pio Esposito nodded in the rebound to make it 4-1. Yilmaz later curled one in, but Aydin was offside in front of Donnarumma. Late on, Donnarumma denied Arda Guler to seal the result.
Nations League Group A1: What Happens Next
Italy now have three points after Mancini’s first win back in charge, while Türkiye are pointless. Next up, Italy face France and Türkiye travel to Belgium. For Vincenzo Montella, who guided Türkiye to the Euro 2024 quarter-finals before they finished bottom of their World Cup group this summer, the pressure is rising.
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