The Italian national team advanced to the quarter-finals of the European Nations League by securing a 1-0 victory against the host nation, Belgium, on Thursday evening during the fifth round of the group stage.
Sandro Tonali netted the sole goal of the match in the 11th minute. The Azzurri increased their tally to 13 points, securing the top position in Group 2 and officially advancing to the quarter-finals.
The Belgian team remained stagnant at 4 points, securing third place and forfeiting their opportunity to advance to the quarter-finals. The Italian team asserted their dominance at the start of the match, culminating in Tonali scoring the opening goal in the 11th minute. He capitalized on Di Lorenzo’s assist, which involved a deep run and a precise pass across the goal, allowing Sandro to effortlessly slot the ball into the net.
The striker Retiggi skillfully gained possession of the ball and passed it to Rovella, who took a shot that sailed over the Belgian goalpost. Just before the conclusion of the first half, there was an opportunity to increase the score through effective teamwork and a series of passes that culminated with Di Lorenzo. He then attempted to set up Tonali in front of the goal, but Tonali was unable to control the ball effectively.
The Belgian team approached the second half with a renewed strategy, aiming to assert control from the outset. Defender Debast unleashed a powerful shot from outside the penalty area, which was expertly saved by Donnarumma. Moments later, Trossard received the ball just outside the penalty area and unleashed a fierce shot, but it flew over the crossbar. Italy’s striker Retiggi squandered a clear opportunity in front of goal, directing his shot to the left of the goalkeeper, but Casteels made an impressive save, deflecting the ball for a corner kick.
During the corner kick, another scoring opportunity emerged, but a miscommunication between Retigi and Di Lorenzo allowed the latter to clear the ball off the goal line. Belgium quickly retaliated two minutes later, as Weiss applied pressure on Tonali, forcing him to misplay the ball. Trossard then initiated a swift counterattack, unleashing a powerful shot that was expertly saved by Donnarumma. In the 61st minute, Italy’s midfielder Fratzi erred in his passing, allowing Openda to seize the ball on the right flank. Openda responded with a low, powerful shot that Donnarumma managed to deflect with his foot. Lukaku nearly leveled the score when a cross deflected off Bastoni, setting up a header opportunity for the Belgian striker; however, his attempt sailed over the crossbar. In the 83rd minute, Belgian defender Weiss came close to scoring with a header from a corner kick, but the post thwarted his effort, resulting in Italy securing the victory.
