Roberto Mancini endured a disappointing return to the Italy dugout as the Azzurri were beaten 2-0 by Belgium in Rome. The result contrasted sharply with the winning start made by Mark van Bommel, whose side secured all three points thanks to goals from Mika Godts and Dodi Lukebakio.

Godts marked his first competitive appearance for Belgium in style, producing a superb individual effort to open the scoring. Dodi Lukebakio then doubled the visitors' advantage after the break with a powerful strike, giving Belgium a commanding lead.

UEFA Nations League 2026-27

Italy - Belgium 0:2 (0:1)
Goals: Godts, 20 (0:1); Lukebakio, 69 (0:2)

Italy: Donnarumma G.; Calafiori; Coppola (Scalvini, 65); Di Lorenzo; Mancini G.; Romano (Frattesi, 65); Tonali; Barella (Doumbia, 80); Cambiaghi (Zoma, 80); Pio Esposito (Maldini D., 65); Kean M.
Substitution: Scalvini (from 65); Frattesi (from 65); Maldini D. (from 65); Doumbia (from 80); Zoma (from 80)
Bench: Carnesecchi; Vicario G.; Kayode M.; Ahanor; Mandragora; Raspadori; Scamacca
Yellow Cards: Mancini G. 63; Donnarumma G. 90; Maldini D. 90

Belgium: Lammens; Mechele; De Cuyper; Ngoy N.; Castagne; De Bruyne (Vanaken, 58); Tielemans; De Ketelaere (Lukaku R., 83); Moreira D. (Lukebakio, 58); Raskin (Lavia, 74); Godts (Fernandez Pardo, 84)
Substitution: Vanaken (from 58); Lukebakio (from 58); Lavia (from 74); Lukaku R. (from 83); Fernandez Pardo (from 84)
Bench: Vandevoordt; De Busser; Debast; Theate; Seys; Keita M.; Openda
Yellow Cards: Raskin 25; Moreira D. 29; Lavia 80; Fernandez Pardo 89; Lukaku R. 90