A rare feat after 95 years: Esposito following in the footsteps of an Italy legend

A striking brilliance from the Azzurri star

Francesco Pio Esposito strengthened his claim as one of the leading faces of Italy's new generation, scoring the third goal in a 3-1 win over Turkey on Monday evening at the Renato Dall'Ara stadium in Bologna, in the fourth round of the UEFA Nations League.

On as a 55th-minute replacement for Gianluca Scamacca, the Inter striker needed little time to leave his mark. He netted the third in the 87th minute.

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It was Esposito's seventh goal at international level before the age of 21, making him only the second player in Italy's history to reach that number before turning 21, after the legend Giuseppe Meazza, who scored his seventh on 25 January 1931 at the age of 20 years and 155 days, according to Opta data.

The win lifts Italy to 7 points and second place in Group One, three behind leaders France. Belgium sit third on 6, with Turkey rooted to the bottom and still without a point.