ROME (Interstat) — Italy defeated Turkey 3-1 on Monday, using a late goal from Francesco Esposito to secure a home win after Turkey had briefly pulled level in the second half. Gianluca Scamacca gave Italy the lead in the 26th minute, finishing a move that had stretched Turkey’s defense and put the home side in front. Turkey struggled to find a quick response before halftime, but the visitors stayed within reach and came out with more purpose after the break. A. Simsir equalized in the 61st minute, giving Turkey a short-lived boost and quieting the home crowd. Italy answered almost immediately. Riccardo Calafiori scored in the 64th minute to restore the lead, and Esposito added the final goal in the 87th minute. Italy then managed the closing stages without conceding again, closing out a result that reflected its stronger finishing on the night.

Italy led 1-0 at halftime after Scamacca’s 26th-minute goal. Scamacca’s booking in the 42nd minute was the only other first-half caution. Turkey came out after the break and found its equalizer through Simsir in the 61st, but Italy regained the lead three minutes later. Calafiori’s goal came after Italy had absorbed Turkey’s best spell of the second half. Turkey pushed for another equalizer, but Italy’s defense held and Esposito’s late goal put the match out of reach.

Key performances followed the game’s decisive moments. Simsir scored Turkey’s only goal and played 70 minutes before being substituted. Esposito, who saw 34 minutes of action, scored the final goal. Calafiori, also with 34 minutes on the field, scored the goal that put Italy back in front. Eren Elmali provided an assist for Turkey. Alessandro Romano and Nicolo Barella each had an assist for Italy. Scamacca scored Italy’s first goal, played 56 minutes and was booked. The combination of Scamacca’s early strike and the second-half responses from Calafiori and Esposito gave Italy enough separation. Turkey’s goal briefly changed the momentum, but Italy’s quick reply kept the visitors from building a sustained comeback.

Discipline played a role in a physical contest. Scamacca was booked in the 42nd minute, and Italy’s Ruggeri received a yellow card in the 47th. Turkey’s Celik was cautioned in the 55th, and Bardakci was booked in the 81st. Italy made a series of substitutions, with Di Lorenzo involved in the 55th minute and Scamacca and Ruggeri coming off in the 56th. Barella was substituted in the 70th, and Vergara was involved in the 84th. Turkey made changes in the 70th involving Kahveci and Simsir, then Yuksek in the 79th, and Akgun and Kadioglu in the 89th. The late changes allowed both teams to adjust, but Italy protected its lead and kept Turkey from finding a second equalizer.

Turkey’s search for a late goal never produced a clear breakthrough. Italy’s defense held firm in the final minutes, and the home side used its substitutions to slow the pace and protect the advantage. Turkey had moments of pressure after Simsir’s goal, but Calafiori’s finish shifted the game back in Italy’s favor. Esposito’s late goal then removed any remaining doubt. The visitors finished with a defeat despite staying competitive for much of the second half.

The result left Turkey at 0-2 in the competition and 0-2 across all competitions this season. Italy moved to 1-0-1 in the competition and 1-0-1 across all competitions. Turkey entered the match after a 3-0 loss at Belgium, while Italy came in after a 1-1 draw at France. Italy’s home victory continued a steady start to the season. Turkey remained without a win in the competition and across all competitions, with the loss adding to a difficult opening stretch. Italy answered after Turkey leveled, and that response proved to be the difference.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Italy 2, Turkey 0. Interstat’s ELO system had projected Italy with a 67.5 percent probability to win.