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Belgium Beats Italy 2-0 in Nations League Opener

By Drooid · Sep 26, 2026, 2:47 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Belgium beat Italy 2-0 in the UEFA Nations League opener at Rome’s Stadio Olimpico.
Mark van Bommel debuted as Belgium coach while Roberto Mancini returned to Italy’s bench.
Mika Godts scored his first international goal, assisted by Kevin De Bruyne’s 125th-cap pass.
Dodi Lukebakio added a second goal on a mid-second-half counter-attack.
47,155 spectators filled the 70,000-seat stadium, leaving it nearly half empty.

History

Historical Context

Euro 2000, the 11th UEFA European Championship, ran from 10 June to 2 July 2000 and was the first finals co-hosted by Belgium and the Netherlands, a format introduced after the 1985 Heysel disaster prompted stadium upgrades like the rebuilt King Baudouin. Amid 1990s Dutch hooligan concerns, France defeated Italy 2-1 with Zidane scoring, securing the title via a golden goal.

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Story summary

Belgium beat Italy 2-0 in the UEFA Nations League opener at Rome’s Stadio Olimpico.
Mark van Bommel debuted as Belgium coach while Roberto Mancini returned to Italy’s bench.
Mika Godts scored his first international goal, assisted by Kevin De Bruyne’s 125th-cap pass.
Dodi Lukebakio added a second goal on a mid-second-half counter-attack.
47,155 spectators filled the 70,000-seat stadium, leaving it nearly half empty.

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