Belgium – Italy, getty images November 14, 2024, 11:42 p.m

In the match of the fifth round of the group stage of the League of Nations, the Italian national team visited Belgium. The debutant Nicolo Rovela appeared in the starting line-up of Luciano Spalletti’s team, while for the Belgians, we note the exit of De Kuyper from the first minutes.

From the first minutes, the Italians took the game initiative and quickly opened the scoring – Di Lorenzo played in the wall with Barella and rolled into Tonali’s empty net. 0:1. Only after that, the team of Domenico Tedesco was able to take the ball under their control and for the first time moved to the other side of the field with great strength.

However, the matter did not reach dangerous moments. Italy acted carefully and almost did not allow anything to the opponent. The Belgians relied on passing passes, but the visitors’ defense acted carefully. The team went to the break with a score of 0:1.

Belgium started the second half very actively and gradually threatened Donnarumma’s goal more and more. Gianluigi acted quite confidently and did not allow the opponent to hope for a goal. But the Italians created a very dangerous moment – Frattesi brought Reteghi face-to-face with Castells, but the attacker could not beat the goalkeeper. A little later, it was hot again near the Castells goal, but the Italians miraculously could not push the ball into the goal.

Belgium could have scored when Openda struck from an acute angle in the penalty area, but Donnarumma got a foot in time to save the shot. There was also a moment when Trossard coolly caught the ball on his leg and scored in one touch from the penalty line – Donnarumma transferred the ball to the corner.

Lukaku had a good chance to equalize – Kastan crossed from the right wing, and Romelu headed into the far corner, but the accuracy was lacking. A little later, Lukaku received the ball after Al-Dakhil’s throw-in and shot from 10 meters out – after the ricochet, the ball went past the goal. And in the next attack, Fas sent the ball with a header into the crossbar. However, the hosts were unable to save the match and lost 0:1. Italy continues to hold the leadership in the group.

Belgium — Italy 0:1
Goal: Tonali, 11

Belgium: Castells – Castagne, Debast, Fass, Teat – Engels, Onana – Openda, Trossard, De Keiper – Lukaku

Italy: Donnarumma – Di Lorenzo, Buongiorno, Bastoni – Cambiaso, Frattesi, Rovella, Tonali, Dimarco – Barella – Reteghi

Warning: Kastan, Onana, Al-Dakhil – Bastogne