Full Breakdown
Belgium Stuns Italy 2-0 in Nations League Opener
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Match Details
On September 25, Belgium defeated Italy 2-0 at Rome’s Stadio Olimpico in the opening fixture of UEFA Nations League 2026-27 Group A1. Mika Godts opened the scoring with his first international goal, assisted by Kevin De Bruyne, before Dodi Lukebakio added a second on the counter-attack. Italy’s Gianluigi Donnarumma kept a clean sheet, but the Azzurri were unable to respond despite a late surge.
Background & Context
Italy entered the match after missing the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a failure that prompted a rapid overhaul of the national team’s leadership. Roberto Mancini returned to the bench after a three-year stint coaching Saudi Arabia, replacing a brief interim period under Silvio Baldini. The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) also reshaped the squad, calling up nine uncapped players and fielding a side without suspended defender Alessandro Bastoni.
Belgium, fresh from a World Cup quarter-final appearance, began a new era under Mark van Bommel, the former Netherlands midfielder who succeeded Rudi Garcia. Van Bommel’s first selection omitted goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, who ruled himself out, and forward Jérémy Doku, sidelined by a calf injury.
Key Figures
- Roberto Mancini – Italy manager, returned after coaching Saudi Arabia.
- Mark van Bommel – Belgium manager, former PSV, Wolfsburg and Royal Antwerp coach.
- Mika Godts – Belgium winger, scored his debut international goal.
- Dodi Lukebakio – Belgium forward, added the second goal.
- Kevin De Bruyne – Belgium captain, provided the assist for the opener.
- Gianluigi Donnarumma – Italy goalkeeper, 83 caps.
- Alessandro Romano – Italy midfielder, earned his first cap after switching allegiance from Switzerland.
Data & Statistics
- Final score: Belgium 2 – 0 Italy.
- Attendance: 47,155 spectators in a 70,000-seat stadium.
- Goal scorers: Mika Godts (34´), Dodi Lukebakio (58´).
- Assists: Kevin De Bruyne (Godts).
- Italy’s lineup featured eight players who featured regularly in the recent World Cup qualifying campaign.
- Italy’s first-half performance was described as “good” by their manager, while the second half was deemed “bad.”
Official Statements & Responses
Roberto Mancini addressed the post-match reaction, acknowledging the boos from the home crowd as a natural response to a disappointing performance. Mancini emphasized that the team’s first half was solid, but the second half faltered after the counter-attack that produced the opening goal.
Mark van Bommel, speaking after the match, praised his side’s organization and the impact of the new signings, highlighting Godts’ composure on his debut and Lukebakio’s clinical finish. (Paraphrased from match reports.)
Verbatim Quotes
- “When we lose, we’re not happy; boos are normal.” — March. Roberto Mancini, manager
What’s Next
Italy’s next Nations League fixture is against Turkey, offering an opportunity to restore confidence before facing France later in the group stage. Belgium will travel to Turkey for their upcoming match, then host France, completing the first round of Group A1 encounters.