Donnarumma helps Italy to Nations League win and Cherki tees up France victory | OneFootball

Gianluigi Donnarumma helped Italy beat Turkey 4-1 to see them pick up their first win in the UEFA Nations League.

After falling to a 2-0 defeat to Belgium in their opening League A Group 1 game of the international competition, Italy showed grit to instantly bounce back to earn their first victory in the new international season.

It took the visitors just nine minutes to take the lead at the Timsah Arena through Alessandro Bastoni before goals from Davide Frattesi and Michael Kayode made it three before the break.

Italy captain Donnarumma was denied a clean sheet when Baris Yilmaz pulled one back for Turkey two minutes into the second half, but Italy quickly showed their clinical edge when Pio Esposito restored his nation’s three-goal lead on 50 minutes as Italy held out for three points.

In the other League A Group 1 clash, Rayan Cherki set up France’s only goal to secure a hard-fought 1-0 win over Belgium.

The City midfielder replaced Maghnes Akliouche on 77 minutes as he tried to help his nation pick up three points.

Prior to his introduction, France has dominated the game with 65% possession and 17 shots, but no breakthrough had been found.

Then, on 88 minutes, Cherki found Michael Olise on the right-hand side on the halfway line. But the latter still had work to do as he carried the ball all the way to the edge of the Belgium box before firing home to secure the win for France.

France and Italy go toe-to-toe next, with the two European giants set to face off at 19:45 (UK) on Friday 2 October.

Pierce Charles, on loan at QPR, also represented his country on Monday night as helped Northern Ireland win a hard-fought point in their 0-0 draw with Hungary.

The shot stopper’s clean sheet means Northern Ireland sit top of League B Group 2 with four points.

Their next fixture will see them take on Ukraine on Friday 2 October, with kick-off scheduled for 19:45 (UK).