Roberto Mancini's Italy produced a commanding performance in his second game in charge, defeating Turkey 4-1 in the Nations League on Monday, while Michael Olise scored late to give France a 1-0 victory over Belgium.
Italy's emphatic win was a major improvement from Friday's 2-0 home defeat to Belgium, when the Azzurri struggled to impose themselves.
The result also came six months after Italy failed to qualify for a third successive World Cup. Their next challenge will be significantly tougher as they travel to face France on Friday.
France, meanwhile, secured its second victory under new coach Zinedine Zidane despite being without injured Kylian Mbappe.
Kayode makes impressive Italy debut
Brentford defender Michael Kayode marked his Italy debut by scoring once and assisting another goal as the visitors quickly took control.
Italy went ahead in the ninth minute after Turkey's Zeki Celik failed to clear a corner properly, allowing Alessandro Bastoni to fire the loose ball into the roof of the net.
Davide Frattesi doubled the advantage in the 22nd minute, finishing from close range after Turkey goalkeeper Altay Bayindir had parried Kayode's effort following a well-constructed team move.
Kayode then added Italy's third five minutes later, finishing into the bottom-right corner after being played through by Pio Esposito.
It was Italy's first three-goal opening half-hour in a competitive match in five years.
Turkey reduced the deficit shortly after halftime when Baris Alper Yilmaz capitalized on a lapse in Italy's defense.
However, Esposito restored Italy's three-goal cushion three minutes later, heading in the rebound after Sandro Tonali's curling effort struck the post.
Pio Esposito's older brother Sebastiano also started the match, making it the first time since 1915 that two brothers had been named in Italy's starting lineup.
Olise delivers late for France
France controlled much of its match against Belgium and struck the woodwork twice before Olise finally found the breakthrough two minutes from full time.
Mbappe missed the game after suffering a left-knee injury in Friday's 1-0 victory over Turkey, in which he scored his record-extending 67th international goal.
Zidane made nine changes to his starting XI and handed international debuts to Jeremy Jacquet, Andy Diouf and Lucas Da Cunha.
Belgium goalkeeper Senne Lammens kept his side in the contest with several important saves. Desire Doue hit the crossbar in the 12th minute, while Da Cunha's powerful effort from 25 yards struck the post.
France eventually found the winner in the 88th minute when Olise collected the ball inside his own half, raced down the right flank, cut inside and fired a low shot into the bottom-left corner.