Belgium hand Italy another setback with 2-0 Nations League win

The four-time world champions were playing for the first time since their March playoff loss to Bosnia and Herzegovina, a result that prevented them from reaching a third successive World Cup. Six months later, Italy showed little sign of having resolved its problems.

Belgium, who reached the World Cup quarter-finals, took the lead through Mika Godts, who registered his first goal for his country.

Kevin De Bruyne, making his 125th international appearance, supplied the ball before Godts cut in from the left, evaded three defenders and found the net past Gianluigi Donnarumma.

The visitors doubled their advantage midway through the second period when Dodi Lukebakio struck from outside the box. Sandro Tonali had attempted to halt the Belgian counter, while Gianluca Mancini was turned by Godts and Diego Coppola could not make up the ground with his sliding challenge.

Coppola had started in place of suspended Alessandro Bastoni, who was sent off against Bosnia.

Roberto Mancini, back in charge of Italy after leaving in August 2023 to manage Saudi Arabia, appeared visibly frustrated on the touchline. The 61-year-old had previously guided Italy to European Championship glory in 2021.

The Azzurri now travel to Turkiye on Monday before visiting France next Friday, with another meeting against Turkiye in Bologna to follow.

Belgium coach Mark van Bommel was pleased with the win, saying: "I am 100 percent happy and satisfied, although of course one can always improve too.

"We started work on Monday with the right hunger and intensity that we also saw on the field today. We worked on this 4-3-3 system for three days, it wasn't a top performance, but we controlled the first half very well."