Belgium Vs Italy finished with a result that changed the feel of the final Nations League group-stage match, as Belgium came from behind to win 3-1 in Brussels after Pio Esposito had given Italy the lead.
The game had significance before kick-off as well. Italy and France were level on 10 points, Belgium sat on 9 points, and the match at 20.45 carried the weight of a final group game with qualification and momentum both in play.
Italy had already beaten Belgium 1-0 in Brussels in 2024, and that made the reversal more notable. Belgium’s win also ended an official-match drought against Italy that had lasted since 1972, adding another layer to a result that felt bigger than a simple group-stage scoreline.
Pio Esposito gave Italy the start they wanted
Italy were the first to land a punch through Pio Esposito, whose sliding right-foot finish under the crossbar gave the Azzurri the lead. It was the kind of goal that should have settled nerves and given Italy control of the evening.
Instead, Belgium responded with the kind of resilience that separates an ordinary night from a significant one. Once the equaliser arrived, Italy no longer looked as secure, and Belgium took charge of the match in a way that made the final score feel deserved rather than accidental.
Why this result matters for both sides
This was not only about three points. Belgium needed the statement more than the status, while Italy were left to reflect on a lead that did not hold in a game that carried group-stage consequence.
Roberto Mancini had previously spoken about the challenge in positive terms, saying: “Essere qui a giocarci la qualificazione è motivo di orgoglio. Siamo qui per vincere e qualificarci.” He also added that he did not think Belgium were “così lontano dalla Francia come squadra.”
That assessment now looks fair in one sense, because Belgium were capable of turning the game around against a strong opponent. But the bigger takeaway is that the match underlined how tight the level remains at the top of the group, where small moments can still flip the picture.
For Italy, the defeat does not erase the earlier win over Belgium in 2024, but it does show how little margin there is in this rivalry. For Belgium, it is a win that restores some authority and ends a long wait against Italy in official competition.
With the group now settled by this result, both teams leave with a clear reminder of how quickly a match can change. Italy had the opener, Belgium had the response, and the final word belonged to the home side.
