Italy Bounce Back With 4-1 Win Over Turkey as France Beat Belgium

Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail

Pio Esposito scores as Italy recover from opening defeat, while Michael Olise gives France a late victory

PARIS: Italy responded strongly to their disappointing Nations League start by defeating Turkey 4-1 in Bursa, while France secured a narrow 1-0 win over Belgium with a late goal on Monday.

Italy entered the match under pressure after suffering a home defeat against Belgium in their opening game. Roberto Mancini’s side produced a much-improved performance in difficult, rainy conditions to get their campaign back on track.

Italy took control during the first half as Turkey struggled to deal with the visitors’ attacking pressure.

Alessandro Bastoni opened the scoring after nine minutes when he reacted quickly to a loose ball following a corner and fired into the roof of the net.

Italy doubled their advantage in the 23rd minute. Turkey goalkeeper Altay Bayindir failed to deal with another low cross from the right, allowing Davide Frattesi to finish from close range.

Italy added a third goal before the break when Michael Kayode’s effort from the right side of the box found its way past Bayindir.

Turkey attempted to fight back shortly after half-time. Baris Yilmaz pulled one goal back in the 47th minute after Gianluigi Donnarumma was drawn away from his position, leaving the Turkey attacker with an open goal.

Italy restored their three-goal advantage just five minutes later.

Sandro Tonali struck the post, and Pio Esposito reacted quickest to head the rebound into the net.

The goal was particularly emotional for Esposito, who was playing alongside his older brother Sebastiano, who was making his Italy debut.

Pio dedicated his goal to his grandmother, who he said is going through a difficult period.

Turkey later found the net again through Galatasaray forward Baris Yilmaz, but the goal was ruled out for offside.

The victory gives Mancini some relief after the criticism that followed Italy’s opening defeat. Italy’s next challenge will be against France at the Stade de France on Friday.

Mancini said he remained confident in his young squad and expected the players to recover quickly before the trip to Paris.

Olise Gives France Late Victory

France also claimed an important win after Michael Olise scored in the 88th minute to secure a 1-0 victory over Belgium in Brussels.

The match appeared to be heading towards a draw until Olise found space inside the Belgian defence and fired a low shot inside the post.

The goal gave France coach Zinedine Zidane his second victory since taking charge of the national team.

Zidane made nine changes to the starting lineup from France’s opening victory over Turkey and was without injured captain Kylian Mbappe.

Despite Belgium creating problems for the visitors, France managed to maintain their defensive shape and hold on for the win.

Zidane praised his players for their effort and said the team now needed time to recover after a demanding schedule involving travel and limited training time.