Italy beat Türkiye 3-1 as France stage late comeback against Belgium

Türkiye’s comeback attempt fell short as Italy secured a 3-1 victory in the UEFA Nations League on Monday, while France scored four late goals to come from behind and beat Belgium 4-1 in the other League A Group 1 match.

Italy took the lead in the 26th minute when Giovanni Di Lorenzo’s cross from the right found Gianluca Scamacca, whose half-volley took a slight deflection off Ozan Kabak before going in off the underside of the crossbar.

The hosts carried their 1-0 advantage into halftime.

Türkiye responded in the 61st minute when Yunus Akgun played in Zeki Celik, whose low ball across the area was helped on by Eren Elmali, leaving Aral Simsir to finish into an empty net.

But the visitors were level for only three minutes.

Nicolo Barella delivered a free kick from the right and Riccardo Calafiori rose above his marker to send a looping header beyond Ugurcan Cakir in the 64th minute.

Substitute Pio Esposito sealed Italy’s 3-1 victory in the 87th minute, turning the ball home from close range.

The win moved Italy to seven points after four matches, while Türkiye remained without a point.

– France substitutes inspire late comeback

France came from behind to beat Belgium 4-1 at the Stade de France, with substitutes Desire Doue, Rayan Cherki and Michael Olise all finding the net.

Belgium opened the scoring in the 35th minute as Romeo Lavia’s through ball released Dodi Lukebakio, who fired into the top corner.

France head coach Zinedine Zidane turned to his bench after halftime, introducing Olise and Cherki in the 60th minute before sending on Doue 12 minutes later.

The changes paid off as Doue equalized in the 77th minute, collecting Lucas Da Cunha’s pass before drilling a left-footed finish into the bottom corner.

Four minutes later, Olise cut the ball back for Cherki, whose first-time effort took a deflection on its way into the net to complete the turnaround.

Olise made it 3-1 in the 88th minute after combining with Doue before the substitutes linked up again in stoppage time, with Doue sending Olise through to score his second and complete the 4-1 victory.

The victory moved group leaders France to 10 points after four matches, while Belgium remained on six points.

– Monday’s results

Northern Ireland 0 – 0 Georgia

Ukraine 1 – 2 Hungary

Bosnia and Herzegovina 1 – 0 Poland

Romania 0 – 1 Sweden

Cyprus 2 – 1 Latvia

Montenegro 0 – 0 Armenia