Belgium defeated Italy 2-0 at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome during the opening match of UEFA Nations League A on September 26, 2026, marking a tough start for the Azzurri under returning manager Roberto Mancini. Goals from Mika Godts and Dodi Lukebakio secured the victory for the visitors, lifting them to the top of Group 1.
Belgium Secures Early Lead in Rome
The match opened with an open tempo as Belgium threatened early in the seventh minute through Charles De Ketelaere. Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma stopped the attempt with his hand. Italy responded when Moise Kean fired a shot from outside the penalty box, which goalkeeper Senne Lammens comfortably gathered.
Belgium broke the deadlock in the 20th minute following a rapid counterattack. Kevin de Bruyne delivered a precise pass to Mika Godts, who cut into the center of the box and beat Donnarumma to make it 1-0. Defensive lapses by Italy continued to create opportunities for the visitors, with Donnarumma forced to deny both De Ketelaere and Raskin. Kean missed wide in the 36th minute after receiving a pass from Cambiaghi, leaving Italy trailing at halftime.
Second-Half Counterattack Seals the Match
Italy generated immediate pressure at the start of the second half, forcing Lammens to kick away a close-range shot from Kean. Pio Esposito subsequently sent a header wide and had another header stopped by Lammens in the 53rd minute. Just as Italy built sustained momentum, Belgium capitalized on another transition.
In the 69th minute, Dodi Lukebakio exploited a counterattack, cutting in from the right flank and curling a left-footed shot past Donnarumma to double the lead to 2-0. Italy nearly clawed back late in the game when a corner kick in the 87th minute resulted in Giorgio Scalvini striking the crossbar. The scoreline remained unchanged through the final whistle.
Group 1 Standings and Team Lineups
With the 2-0 victory, Belgium sits at the summit of Group 1 in UEFA Nations League A with three points, holding superior goal difference over France. Italy occupies the bottom of the four-team group without a point, trailing Turkey.
Italy Starting XI: Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Mancini, Coppola, Calafiori; Barella, Romano, Tonali; Kean, P Esposito, Cambiaghi
Belgium Starting XI: Lammens; Castagne, Ngoy, Mechele, De Cuyper; Raskin, De Bruyne, Tielemans; Moreira, De Ketelaere, Godts
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