Full Breakdown
Nations League Group A1: France Edge Belgium and Italy Overwhelm Turkey
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Action
On Monday, two decisive matches concluded the opening round of UEFA Nations League 2026-27 Group A1.
- France secured a 1-0 victory over Belgium in Brussels, the winning goal arriving in the 88th minute from substitute Michael Olise.
- Italy responded with a dominant 4-1 triumph against Turkey in Bursa, scoring three times inside the first half-hour.
Background & Context
Both fixtures featured newly appointed head coaches. Zinedine Zidane took charge of France after the World Cup, while Mark van Bommel began his tenure with Belgium. Italy entered their second match under Roberto Mancini, who had been appointed only weeks earlier following a 2-0 loss to Belgium. France’s earlier 1-0 win over Turkey on September 25 gave Zidane a perfect start, and Italy’s 4-1 win marked a rapid turnaround from their opening defeat.
Key Figures & Groups
- Zinedine Zidane – France head coach, former midfielder, orchestrated nine changes to the starting XI.
- Mark van Bommel – Belgium head coach, former Dutch international.
- Roberto Mancini – Italy head coach, former player, praised his squad after the Turkey win.
- Michael Olise – France winger (Bayern Munich), scored the decisive goal after entering in the 77th minute.
- Michael Kayode – Brentford defender, contributed a goal and an assist for Italy.
- Alessandro Bastoni – Italy centre-back, opened the scoring against Turkey.
- Pio Esposito and Sebastiano Esposito – Brothers who started together for Italy, a first since the Cevenini twins in 1915.
Data & Statistics
- France: 1 goal (Olise, 88´); 0 conceded; 6 points, topping Group A1.
- Belgium: 0 goals; 1 point; 3 points behind France on goal difference.
- Italy: 4 goals (Bastoni 9´, Frattesi 22´, Kayode 27´, Esposito 50´); 1 conceded; 6 points, also leading Group A1.
- Turkey: 1 goal (Baris Alper Yilmaz, 47´); 4 conceded.
- Italy recorded the first instance in five years of scoring three goals in the opening half-hour of a competitive match.
- The Esposito brothers became the first pair of siblings to start for Italy together since Aldo and Luigi Cevenini in 1915.
Official Statements & Responses
Roberto Mancini highlighted his players’ resilience after the Turkey win, noting that “These boys deserved the win, especially what so many have been saying over the past three days.” He added that the squad had performed well beyond the result.
Verbatim Quotes
- “These boys deserved the win, especially what so many have been saying over the past three days,” — Bursa. Roberto Mancini
What’s Next
- France will host Italy at the Stade de France on October 2, marking Zidane’s first home match.
- Belgium’s next group fixture is against Italy in Liège, while Turkey will face Italy again in a later round.
These results set the stage for a tightly contested Group A1, with France and Italy both positioned to vie for promotion to the Nations League top tier.