Italy secured a spot in the UEFA Nations League knockout stages with a 1-0 victory over Belgium. Sandro Tonali scored the only goal of the game, tapping in his first international goal after just 11 minutes. Belgium struggled to find their footing in the first half but improved in the second half, with Mateo Retegui and Leandro Trossard coming close to scoring. However, Italy held on for the win, with goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma impressing with a string of fine saves to keep a clean sheet.
Under manager Luciano Spalletti, Italy’s national team appears to be on the rise after a period of inconsistency. They have been able to maintain an unbeaten record in the UEFA Nations League and showcased their ability to control and defend against tough opponents like Belgium, earning a total of nine wins in their last 15 international matches. This positive trajectory is a stark contrast to recent years, where Italy failed to progress in major tournaments like the World Cup.
Gianluigi Donnarumma was named the Player of the Match for his stellar performance in goal for Italy. While he had little to do in the first half, Donnarumma came up big in the second half, thwarting Belgium’s attacking attempts with crucial saves and commanding his area effectively. His efforts were instrumental in securing the victory and keeping a clean sheet against a formidable opponent like Belgium.
Player ratings for both Belgium and Italy reflected the close nature of the game, with standout performances from Donnarumma for Italy and strong showings from several Belgian players. Belgium’s Romelu Lukaku had opportunities to score but was unable to find the back of the net, while Italy’s Sandro Tonali made a significant impact with his early goal. Overall, both teams put in a competitive display, with Italy ultimately coming out on top.
Key moments in the game included Tonali’s opening goal for Italy in the 11th minute, Debast’s chance for Belgium in the second half that was saved by Donnarumma, and Faes hitting the post late in the game for Belgium. These moments highlighted the back-and-forth nature of the match, with both teams creating opportunities to score but Italy ultimately securing the crucial victory.
In terms of statistics, Italy’s unbeaten record against Belgium in competitive matches since 1972 was noted as well as the significance of this win in the UEFA Nations League. Additionally, the announcement that TNT Sports will broadcast over 500 matches from the UEFA Champions League, the UEFA Europa League, and the UEFA Conference League for the 2024/25 season was highlighted, with fans in the UK able to access the games through a subscription to discovery+ that includes TNT Sports, Eurosport, and entertainment content.
