Francesco Pio Esposito matches Giuseppe Meazza record as Italy defeat Turkey

Francesco Pio Esposito became only the second player in Italy’s history to score seven international goals aged 21 or under as the Azzurri beat Turkey 3-1 in the Nations League on Monday.

The Inter striker came on for Gianluca Scamacca in the 55th minute of the Group A match at Stadio Renato Dall’Ara in Bologna. He needed little time to make an impact, scoring Italy’s third goal in the 87th minute.

Esposito’s goal moved him alongside one of Italian football’s greatest figures. Only Giuseppe Meazza had previously reached seven goals for the national team at such an age, scoring his seventh on 25 January 1931 when he was 20 years and 155 days old, according to Opta.

OptaPaolo posted on social media: “Francesco Pio Esposito e diventato solo il secondo giocatore nella storia della Nazionale a trovare la sua settima rete con al massimo 21 anni d’eta, dopo Giuseppe Meazza (20 anni e 155 giorni il 25 gennaio 1931). Dirompente.”

The result lifted Italy to seven points, leaving them second in the group, three points behind leaders France. Belgium are third on six points, while Turkey remain bottom without a point.