InterNationals: Pio Esposito bags first Italy goal, two assists for Calhanoglu

European qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup continued on Saturday. In the evening, six Nerazzurri players took to the pitch: Alessandro Bastoni, Federico Dimarco, Nicolò Barella, Francesco Pio Esposito, Davide Frattesi and Hakan Calhanoglu.

Five of them starred in Italy’s 3-1 victory away to Estonia, with goals from Kean, Retegui and Pio Esposito, who scored his first senior international goal. Bastoni, Dimarco, and Barella were all named in the starting XI by Gennaro Gattuso. The defender and full-back played the full 90 minutes, with Dimarco providing the assist for the opening goal. Barella was substituted in the 77th minute for Davide Frattesi, while Pio Esposito came on in the 15th minute, enjoying another memorable evening. Following this win, Italy remain in second place in Group I, now on 12 points.

It was also a great night for Turkey, who thrashed Bulgaria 6-1 away from home. Hakan Calhanoglu put in a flawless performance, registering two assists. The visitors' goals came from Yildiz, who scored twice, Guler, Celik and Kahveci, as well as an own goal from Popov. The Nerazzurri midfielder played 64 minutes. Turkey, with six points to their name, sit second in Group E.