Italy beat Turkey 4-1 and Olise strikes late as France edge Belgium in Nations League

Italy rebound with four goals in Bursa

Roberto Mancini collected his first victory since returning to lead the Italian national team, defeating Turkey 4-1 in Bursa on Monday. The result followed a 0-2 home defeat against Belgium three days earlier. Severe storms in Turkey forced Italy to cancel their morning pitch session, moving warmups into their hotel alongside video analysis of set pieces. Italy took the lead in the ninth minute when Turkish defender Zeki Celik missed a clearance from a low corner kick, allowing Alessandro Bastoni to turn and score under the crossbar. Davide Frattesi doubled the advantage in the 22nd minute after a passing sequence through the penalty area.

Debuts and milestones for the Azzurri

Italy extended the lead to three goals before the half-hour mark through 22-year-old Michael Kayode, who scored on his senior international debut in the 27th minute. Giacomo Raspadori found Francesco Pio Esposito at the edge of the area, and the striker shielded the ball with his back to goal before setting up Kayode for a precise finish. Baris Yilmaz pulled a goal back for Turkey in the 47th minute, but Italy responded three minutes later. Sandro Tonali struck the post, and Esposito headed in the rebound past Altay Bayindir. Francesco Pio Esposito was joined on the pitch by his older brother Sebastiano Esposito, becoming the first pair of brothers to play together for Italy since Aldo and Luigi Cevenini in 1915.

Olise secures late victory for France in Brussels

In Brussels, France earned a 1-0 victory over Belgium under manager Zinedine Zidane. Zidane made nine changes to the starting lineup compared to the team that defeated Turkey 1-0, handing senior debuts to Jeremy Jacquet, Andy Diouf, and Lucas Da Cunha while Kylian Mbappe remained absent due to injury. France created earlier chances when Desire Doue hit the crossbar in the 12th minute and Da Cunha struck the post in the 54th minute, while goalkeeper Mike Maignan denied Belgium forward Dodi Lukebakio in the 73rd minute. Substitute Michael Olise, introduced in the 77th minute, carried the ball from the halfway line before placing a low shot into the net in the 88th minute. The defeat extended Belgium's wait for a competitive victory over France, which dates back to 1981.

Group standings and upcoming fixtures

The results leave France at the top of League A Group 1 with six points from two matches, while Italy and Belgium sit level on three points each. Turkey remains in fourth place with zero points, increasing pressure on manager Vincenzo Montella following their group-stage exit at the summer World Cup. In other Nations League action, Sweden defeated Poland 3-1, and Bosnia-Herzegovina won 4-2 against Romania. Group 1 resumes on Friday when Turkey host Belgium and Italy play France, followed by a rematch between Italy and Turkey the following Monday.