Italy’s new UEFA Nations League campaign began with an uneasy evening at home, where Belgium found the sharper routes through the match and left Roberto Mancini’s side beaten 2-0. For the Azzurri, trying to reset their direction under Mancini, the opening fixture instead exposed defensive gaps that the visitors exploited with conviction.
Belgium settled quickly into the occasion, carrying the greater threat whenever space appeared behind Italy’s midfield line. Their first reward came around the 20-minute mark. A lapse in the Italian defence allowed a fast Belgian move to reach Mika Godts, wearing No. 10, inside the penalty area. He moved beyond two defenders before guiding his finish into the net for the opening goal.
Italy remained within reach before the interval, despite Belgium producing further dangerous moments and looking capable of extending their advantage. The hosts went into the break only one goal behind, but did not find the response required after the restart.
Belgium take their chances in Italy
The pattern held through the second half, with Belgium direct and dangerous in the open ground available to them. More than half an hour into the period, Dodi Lukébakio supplied the decisive second goal on a counterattack.
Driving forward down the flank, Lukébakio carried the ball towards the edge of the area, slipped past two Italian markers and struck a low effort across goal. Gianluigi Donnarumma could not reach it, and Belgium had the margin their performance had long suggested.
The victory gives Belgium their first three points of the Nations League, while Italy leave the opening round with adjustments to make before their next international commitments. On a night intended to mark a fresh start for Mancini’s team, the travelling Belgian side instead dictated the more memorable chapter.
