Italy lose 2-0 to Belgium in Nations League opener

How Belgium won in Rome

Mika Godts opened the scoring in the 20th minute after Alessandro Romano lost the ball in midfield, Gazzetta dello Sport reported. The Paris Saint-Germain forward cut inside two defenders before beating Gianluigi Donnarumma, the BBC reported. Dodi Lukebakio doubled Belgium’s lead in the 69th minute after running from his own half and firing a 25-yard shot.

Belgium controlled the first half and created several chances before the break. Donnarumma saved from Charles De Ketelaere and Nicolas Raskin in quick succession. He also denied Mika Godts a second goal after a cross from Timothy Castagne.

Italy improved after halftime. Moise Kean went close from a cross by Nicolò Cambiaghi, and Senne Lammens saved headers from Francesco Pio Esposito and Gianluca Mancini. Lammens then stopped another close-range effort from Esposito after Cambiaghi’s cross.

Italy’s response after halftime

Roberto Mancini made three substitutions in the 65th minute, bringing on Giorgio Scalvini, Davide Frattesi and Daniel Maldini for Diego Coppola, Alessandro Romano and Francesco Pio Esposito. The changes did not produce an equalizer. Belgium regained control after Lukebakio’s goal, and Scalvini missed from close range late in the match.

The BBC recorded 21 shots for Italy and 19 for Belgium. Belgium had the better accuracy, with eight shots on target to Italy’s six. Italy also had more possession, 55.9% to 44.1%, but finished without a goal.

The result brought boos from the home crowd at Rome’s Olympic Stadium. Mancini said the first half was below expectations and that the second half was better, according to Rai News. The match was also his first competitive game since returning for a second spell as Italy coach.

Italy’s next Nations League match

The defeat leaves Italy with zero points in fourth place in League A Group 1, while Belgium has three points and leads the group, according to the BBC. France also began with three points after beating Turkey 1-0. Italy’s next match is away to Turkey in Bursa on Monday, with kickoff at 8:45 p.m. local time.

That schedule gives Italy little time to recover from the opening loss. A second defeat would leave the team without a point after two games and increase the pressure before matches against France and Turkey in the same international window.