In a dramatic UEFA Nations League encounter, Italy saw their comfortable 2-0 advantage evaporate as they settled for a hard-fought 2-2 draw against Belgium at the Stadio Olimpico.
The Azzurri, who entered the match atop their group after victories over France and Israel, started brilliantly. Andrea Cambiaso opened the scoring in the first minute, bundling home a rebound after Koen Casteels initially saved his close-range effort. Mateo Retegui doubled Italy’s lead in the 24th minute, finishing off a well-worked team move.
However, the game took a dramatic turn in the 40th minute when Lorenzo Pellegrini received a straight red card after a VAR review for a dangerous tackle on Arthur Theate. This pivotal moment shifted the momentum in Belgium’s favor.
The Red Devils capitalized immediately, with Maxim De Cuyper curling home a superb free-kick just two minutes after Pellegrini’s dismissal to halve the deficit. Despite being a man down, Italy nearly restored their two-goal cushion early in the second half, but Davide Frattesi squandered a golden opportunity.
Belgium’s pressure eventually paid off as they equalized through Leandro Trossard, who flicked in a corner at the near post. The match remained tense until the final whistle, with both sides creating chances to snatch a winner.
This result leaves Italy’s position at the top of their Nations League group in jeopardy, with France and Belgium hot on their heels. The Azzurri will need to regroup quickly as they face crucial matches ahead in their quest to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
Goals: Cambiaso 1 (I), Retegui 24 (I), De Cuyper 42 (B), Trossard 61 (B)
Italy (3-5-2): Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Bastoni, Calafiori; Cambiaso, Frattesi, Tonali (80′ Pisilli), Ricci (70′ Fagioli), Dimarco (70′ Udogie); Pellegrini, Retegui (80′ Raspadori).
Belgium (4-2-3-1): Casteels; De Cuyper, Faes, Debast, Theate (68′ Castagne); Tielemans, Mangala (68′ Vranckx); Trossard, De Ketelaere (68′ Lukebakio), Doku (87′ Fofana); Openda (87′ Ngonge)
