Nations League: Relegation battle instead of title dream for Red Devils after defeat against Italy

Italy then continued to push, while the Belgians had to wait for their first goal threat. After half an hour, Italy’s keeper Donnarumma was challenged for the first time when he spectacularly punched away a cross from the right. The Devils played a little better afterwards but had no real threat to score. There was one on the other side, with an almost identical situation to the one that had given Italy the lead. This time Tonali was able to disrupt the game decisively and the score remained 0-1 at the break.

The second half began with no substitutions on either side. The Devils had their first goal in the 50th minute. Debast tried a shot from the second row. Donnarumma was able to catch the ball safely/ Shortly afterwards Trossard’s next shot from the edge of the penalty area flew over the target.

Retegui was sent out of his own half in the 54th minute, but his shot was denied by Casteels in the Belgian goal, who was able to parry the ball for a corner. A minute later, a triple chance for the Italians came to nothing. Trossard had the chance to equalize in the 57th minute with a volley from 15 meters, but was denied by Donnarumma, who was able to direct the ball past the post.

After that, the back and forth goal threat decreased a little. Twelve minutes before the end, Lukaku’s header whizzed just past the visitors’ goal. Four minutes later the next chance for the Belgian captain. This time the leather missed just to the left. Two minutes later the post prevented the Belgians from scoring an equalizer through Faes. It remained a narrow 1-0 win for the guests.

With the win, the Italians move into the quarter-finals of the Nations League. Belgium must hope to stay in the A group through the relegation play-offs.