Italy secured a vital 1-0 victory over Belgium in Brussels, booking their place in the Nations League quarter-finals and simultaneously ending Belgium’s chances of progressing further in the competition. The match proved to be a pivotal one for both teams, with the outcome determining which side would advance in the tournament.
The only goal of the match came in the 11th minute from Sandro Tonali, who was marking his first senior international goal. Tonali, fresh off a 10-month suspension for betting violations, was in the right place at the right time when a pass from Giovanni Di Lorenzo deflected off Belgium’s Zeno Debast and landed perfectly for the Italian midfielder. Tonali made no mistake, slotting the ball past Belgian goalkeeper Koen Casteels from close range to give Italy the early advantage.
The first half was largely dominated by Italy, with Nicolo Rovella coming close to doubling the lead in the 25th minute, but his shot flew high and wide. Mateo Retegui also had an opportunity to score early in the second half, but Casteels came up big with a save in a one-on-one situation. On the other end, Gianluigi Donnarumma was called into action, making crucial saves against efforts from Debast and Lois Openda as Belgium sought to find an equalizer.
Belgium's best chance to level the score came late in the game. In the 83rd minute, defender Wout Faes was left unmarked inside the box and had a golden opportunity to head home from a cross. However, his header struck the post, much to the frustration of the Belgian side. That miss effectively sealed Belgium’s fate, as they would go on to face Israel in a battle to avoid finishing last in Group A2.
Italy’s triumph marked their third consecutive competitive away victory this season, following previous wins against France and Israel. The win also mirrored their successful run in Euro 2020 qualifying, when they managed five straight away victories between June and November 2019.
Under the management of Luciano Spalletti, Italy has shown impressive resilience and tactical discipline, especially in away games. The team’s ability to secure important victories on foreign soil has been a key factor in their success in the Nations League, and this win over Belgium further solidified their credentials as one of the top teams in Europe. With their quarter-final spot secured, Italy will now look ahead to the next stage of the competition, aiming to continue their strong form.
