UEFA Nations League – Pio Esposito scores in Italy's 4-1 victory over Türkiye

The second round of the 2026/27 UEFA Nations League Group A matches saw Italy defeat Turkey 4-1 away from home, thanks to goals from Bastoni, Fratesi, Caiode, and Pio Esposito.

Five minutes into the match, Italy launched an attack. Tonali played a through ball into the penalty area, where Laspadori received it and shot from inside the box, but the ball went wide. In the 8th minute, Pio Esposito received a pass from Fratesse and shot, but it was cleared by Turkish goalkeeper Baindir.

In the 9th minute, Turkish defender Celiik made a mistake while clearing an Italian corner kick, and Bastoni immediately slid in and scored, giving Italy a 1-0 lead.

In the 22nd minute, Laspadori sent a diagonal pass into the penalty area, and Kayord's low shot was saved by Turkish goalkeeper Baindir. Fratesi then followed up to score, giving Italy a 2-0 lead over Turkey. In the 24th minute, Turkey attempted a counter-attack, with Can Uzun receiving a pass from Yilmaz and shooting, but the ball went over the goal.

In the 27th minute, Pio Esposito crossed the ball from the penalty area, and Kayorde received the ball and seized the opportunity to push the shot into the net, making the score 3-0 for Turkey. In the 28th minute, Guler received the ball and took a long-range shot from outside the penalty area, but the danger was saved by Italian goalkeeper Donnarumma.

In the 35th minute, Kayorde delivered a cross, but Sebastiano's shot went wide. In the 38th minute, Kayorde was brought down by Can Uzun while attempting a breakthrough, and the referee showed Can Uzun a yellow card.

At the start of the second half, Italy substituted Cambiaghi for Laspadori. In the 47th minute, Italian goalkeeper Donnarumma misjudged the situation when coming out of his goal, and Ouuz Aidin passed the ball back from the penalty area. Yilmaz then pushed the ball into the empty net, helping Türkiye pull one back to 1-3.

In the 50th minute, Tonali received a pass back from Cambiaghi at the edge of the penalty area and took a long-range shot, but the ball hit the post and bounced out. Then, Pio Esposito headed the ball into the net, helping Italy extend their lead to 4-1.

In the 55th minute, Turkey launched an attack, and Yilmaz received the ball and slotted it into the net, but Ouz Aydin was offside and interfered with Italian goalkeeper Donnarumma, so the goal was disallowed. In the 61st minute, Alan Elmaly's shot went wide.

In the 72nd minute, Frattesse's pass was cleared, and then Cambiaghi was about to shoot when the ball was caught by Turkish goalkeeper Baindir. In the 79th minute, Ozan Kabak passed the ball to Güler at the edge of the penalty area, who then took a long-range shot, but the ball went over the goal.

In the 90th minute, Alan Elma received a pass from Yuksek near the penalty area and took a long-range shot, but it was blocked by an opposing player.

In the end, Italy defeated Türkiye 4-1 away from home.

Image source: Internet