Italy beats Turkey 4-1 as Mancini says team faces long road ahead

The Italian national team defeated Turkey 4-1 in a UEFA Nations League Group A match at the Timsah Arena on Tuesday, September 29, 2026. The win marks the first victory for Roberto Mancini since his return to the head coaching role for the Azzurri earlier in the summer of 2026. This result follows an opening 0-2 loss to Belgium in the tournament’s first matchday.

First-Half Dominance Sets the Pace

Italy established control early, securing a 3-0 lead by the end of the first half. Alessandro Bastoni opened the scoring in the ninth minute. Davide Frattesi doubled the lead in the 22nd minute, and Michael Kayode added a third goal just five minutes later.

Second-Half Goals Seal the Result

Turkey managed to narrow the gap early in the second half when Baris Yilmaz found the back of the net. However, the Italian lead proved insurmountable as Pio Esposito scored later in the half to finalize the 4-1 scoreline.

Roberto Mancini’s Assessment of the Squad

Following the match, Roberto Mancini expressed satisfaction with the performance of his players. “This victory is worth as much as the defeat against Belgium, it means nothing,” Mancini stated, as reported by Football Italia. “What is really important is that the players realize that they can do good things.” Mancini added that the team faces a long road ahead and must shift focus to their upcoming schedule.

Upcoming Match Against France

The Italian squad now prepares for their next fixture against France, the current leader of Group A. The match is scheduled for Saturday, October 3, at the Stade de France.

Frequently Asked Questions Regarding the Match

What was the final score of the Turkey vs. Italy match? Italy defeated Turkey 4-1 at the Timsah Arena on September 29, 2026. Who scored for Italy in this match? Alessandro Bastoni, Davide Frattesi, Michael Kayode, and Pio Esposito were the goalscorers for Italy. Baris Yilmaz scored the lone goal for Turkey. When is Italy’s next UEFA Nations League game? Italy is scheduled to play France on Saturday, October 3, 2026, at the Stade de France. Is this Roberto Mancini’s first win since returning as coach? Yes, this match marks the first victory for Mancini since he resumed his duties as the head coach of the Italian national team during the summer of 2026.