Türkiye fall 3-1 to Italy for 4th straight Nations League loss
Italy's Riccardo Calafiori (up) scores the 2-1 goal during the UEFA Nations League soccer match between Italy and Türkiye at Renato Dall'Ara stadium in Bologna, Italy, Oct. 5, 2026. (EPA Photo)


Türkiye suffered their fourth consecutive UEFA Nations League defeat Monday as Italy claimed a 3-1 victory in Bologna, leaving the Crescent-Stars rooted to the bottom of Group 1 without a point.

Goals from Gianluca Scamacca, Riccardo Calafiori and Pio Esposito secured the victory for Italy at the Renato Dall'Ara Stadium, while Aral Şimşir scored Türkiye's lone goal.

Italy started brightly, with Scamacca firing narrowly wide in the 11th minute, but Türkiye soon began creating chances of their own.

Irfan Can Kahveci threatened after breaking onto a through ball before losing control, while Gianluigi Donnarumma was called into action to deny Ozan Kabak and Salih Özcan.

Italy broke the deadlock in the 26th minute when Antonio Vergara's deflected cross fell to Scamacca, who fired in off the underside of the crossbar.

Türkiye continued to push and were rewarded in the 61st minute. A deflection off Eren Elmalı sent the ball into the path of Şimşir, who converted from close range to level the score.

The hosts responded almost immediately.

Nicolo Barella's free kick found Calafiori, whose header beat Uğurcan Çakır in the 65th minute to restore Italy's advantage.

Türkiye came close to another equalizer in the 77th minute when Yunus Akgün picked out Özcan, but Donnarumma produced a strong save to preserve Italy's lead.

Esposito then put the result beyond doubt late on, converting from inside the penalty area to make it 3-1.

The victory continued Italy's improved run under returning coach Roberto Mancini and strengthened their bid for a Nations League quarterfinal place.

Türkiye, meanwhile, remain without a point after four matches and sit bottom of the group following their fourth straight defeat.

Italy moved to seven points in second place after recording their second victory in three matches.

Türkiye will host Belgium on Nov. 12, while Italy welcome France on the same day.