| Match detail<\/th> | Information<\/th><\/tr><\/thead> |
|---|---|
| Competition<\/td> | UEFA Nations League<\/td><\/tr> |
| Venue<\/td> | Stadio Olimpico, Rome<\/td><\/tr> |
| Final score<\/td> | Italy 0\u20132 Belgium<\/td><\/tr> |
| First goal<\/td> | Mika Godts, 20\u2019<\/td><\/tr> |
| Second goal<\/td> | Dodi Luk\u00e9bakio, 69\u2019<\/td><\/tr> |
| Italy coach<\/td> | Roberto Mancini<\/td><\/tr> |
| Belgium coach<\/td> | Mark van Bommel<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\nMika Godts Announces Himself in Rome<\/h2>\n\n\n\nBelgium started confidently despite playing away from home and created the better opportunities during the opening half.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Gianluigi Donnarumma was required to make an early save from Charles De Ketelaere, while Moise Kean tested Senne Lammens at the opposite end.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The breakthrough arrived in the 20th minute following a mistake in Italy\u2019s build-up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Belgium regained possession before Kevin De Bruyne released Godts with an intelligent forward pass. The young attacker drove into the penalty area, sent Gianluca Mancini and Diego Coppola to the ground with a sharp change of direction and calmly placed his finish into the bottom corner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It was a confident goal from a player who had not been selected for Belgium\u2019s 2026 World Cup squad but earned a place in Van Bommel\u2019s first team following his impressive club performances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Godts continued troubling Italy after scoring. Donnarumma produced an excellent reaction save to deny his powerful header, while the Italian goalkeeper also stopped efforts from De Ketelaere and Nicolas Raskin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Belgium could easily have entered halftime with a larger advantage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Italy Improve but Lammens Stands Firm<\/h2>\n\n\n\nItaly responded positively after the break and began creating opportunities with greater consistency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Kean forced Lammens into a clever save with his leg immediately after the restart. Francesco Pio Esposito then threatened twice, directing a header at the goalkeeper before being denied from Nicol\u00f2 Cambiaghi\u2019s low delivery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Lammens\u2019 performance was vital to Belgium\u2019s victory. Italy enjoyed more possession and completed more passes, but the Belgian goalkeeper remained composed whenever Mancini\u2019s team found a way through the defence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The supplied match statistics showed Italy controlling 54% of possession and completing 586 passes at 92% accuracy. However, Belgium were more dangerous in front of goal, registering nine shots on target and winning eight corners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Italy controlled the ball, but Belgium controlled the decisive moments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Luk\u00e9bakio Secures Belgium\u2019s Victory<\/h2>\n\n\n\nItaly\u2019s attempt to find an equaliser left space behind their defence, and Belgium took advantage in the 69th minute.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Luk\u00e9bakio collected the ball inside his own half and drove forward with speed. He cut inside past Sandro Tonali and Daniel Maldini before curling a brilliant left-footed shot into the bottom corner from outside the penalty area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The substitute\u2019s individual effort gave Belgium the breathing room they needed and highlighted the direct counterattacking style Van Bommel could bring to the team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Italy continued pushing forward. Riccardo Calafiori narrowly missed the target, while Giorgio Scalvini failed to convert a late chance from close range.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Belgium protected their clean sheet and completed a memorable opening victory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Perfect Beginning for Mark van Bommel<\/h2>\n\n\n\nVan Bommel could hardly have asked for a better start as Belgium head coach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The former Netherlands, Barcelona and Bayern Munich midfielder inherited a talented Belgian squad following its World Cup quarter-final defeat to eventual champions Spain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Belgium were without several important players, including Thibaut Courtois, J\u00e9r\u00e9my Doku and Leandro Trossard. Despite those absences, Van Bommel\u2019s team were organised defensively, aggressive when regaining possession and clinical on the counterattack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Kevin De Bruyne remained at the centre of Belgium\u2019s creativity, producing the pass for Godts\u2019 opening goal and creating five chances during the match.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Godts offered speed and confidence on the left, while De Ketelaere found dangerous spaces around Italy\u2019s midfield. Luk\u00e9bakio and Romelu Lukaku gave Belgium additional attacking power from the bench.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The result places Belgium at the top of Group A1 after the opening round, ahead of France on goal difference. France began their campaign with a 1\u20130 victory in T\u00fcrkiye.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Difficult Return for Roberto Mancini<\/h2>\n\n\n\nMancini\u2019s second spell in charge of Italy began with disappointment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The experienced coach previously guided the Azzurri to the Euro 2020 title before leaving the position in 2023. His return was expected to bring renewed confidence, but Italy\u2019s weaknesses in both penalty areas were exposed by Belgium.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The hosts had plenty of possession and produced several opportunities, particularly during the second half. However, defensive mistakes allowed Godts to open the scoring, while Italy failed to convert their best chances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Mancini has positives to build on. Cambiaghi created problems from the left, Pio Esposito found good scoring positions and Calafiori offered attacking support from defence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Nevertheless, Italy must become more clinical and protect themselves better against counterattacks if they are to compete with Belgium and France for qualification.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Belgium will next host France, while Italy travel to face T\u00fcrkiye.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sweden 2\u20131 Romania: Isak and Gy\u00f6keres Deliver<\/h1>\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.bangbet.com\/ng\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/image-64.png\") <\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nSweden also made a winning start to their Nations League campaign after earning promotion to League B.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The hosts immediately placed Romania under pressure. Sebastian Nanasi forced goalkeeper Ionu\u021b Radu into a save after only 32 seconds, setting the tone for an entertaining first half.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Isak opened the scoring in the 20th minute. The Liverpool striker moved behind Virgil Ghi\u021b\u0103, collected Yasin Ayari\u2019s through-ball and powered his finish beyond Radu.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Romania responded nine minutes later through Dennis Man. A quick counterattack allowed Man to lift the ball over Victor Lindel\u00f6f before producing an excellent volley past Viktor Johansson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The equaliser did not discourage Sweden, and Gy\u00f6keres restored their advantage in the 43rd minute. Radu saved Lucas Bergvall\u2019s initial shot, but the Arsenal striker reacted quickly to convert the rebound.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sweden thought they had scored a third goal after halftime when Elliot Stroud found the top corner. VAR ruled out the effort because Isak had handled the ball during the build-up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The hosts protected their narrow advantage and secured all three points.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Isak and Gy\u00f6keres Form Sweden\u2019s Super Partnership<\/h2>\n\n\n\nSweden possess one of international football\u2019s most physically powerful striker combinations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Isak combines intelligent movement with close control and clinical finishing. He has started the club season strongly, recording four goals in his opening seven appearances for Liverpool.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Gy\u00f6keres had endured a more difficult opening to the campaign with Arsenal, but scoring the winner for Sweden could provide the confidence he needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The two strikers offer complementary qualities. Isak can drift into wide areas or drop between the lines, while Gy\u00f6keres uses his strength and direct running to attack central defenders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sweden will hope their partnership can fire the country towards another promotion and an eventual return to the highest level of the Nations League.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Strong Starts for Belgium and Sweden<\/h2>\n\n\n\nBelgium and Sweden entered the new Nations League campaign with different expectations, but both demonstrated their attacking potential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Van Bommel\u2019s Belgium delivered one of the best away performances of the opening round, defeating Italy through intelligent counterattacks and excellent goalkeeping.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sweden relied on their established attacking stars, with Isak and Gy\u00f6keres showing why they could become one of Europe\u2019s most dangerous international partnerships.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For Mancini and Italy, the result was a reminder that possession alone will not win important matches. The Azzurri must improve quickly before facing T\u00fcrkiye.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Follow Bangbet for UEFA Nations League previews, match reports and international football betting markets. Visit Bangbet to check the latest odds on Belgium, Italy, Sweden and other national teams.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Betting involves risk and every selection can lose. Only bet with money you can afford to lose, set clear limits and use Bangbet\u2019s responsible betting resources. Adults 18+ only.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bangbet<\/a> More Than Win!<\/h3>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" |