LBelgium lost 0-11 against Italy this Thursday as part of the 5th day of the Nations League. A result which, at best, sends the Red Devils into the play-offs to remain in League A of the competition. Direct elimination is even still possible in the event of a defeat by more than two goals on Sunday against Israel.
After several minutes of possession, the Italians launched the first offensive of the match with a shot on target but too weak from Davide Frattesi to worry Koen Casteels (7th).
The first ten minutes, totally to the advantage of Luciano Spalletti’s men, ended up being fatal for the Devils. Following a loss of the ball in midfield, the Squadra regained the ball and launched a counterattack. Served in the middle by Giovanni Di Lorenzo, between the legs of Zeno Debast, Sandro Tonali only had to push the ball into an empty goal to open the scoring in front of a stunned Belgian team (11th, 0-1).
In a packed stadium white-hot by the supporters of both camps, the 22 players went blow for blow in the last quarter of an hour of play of the first half with a more offensive face from the Devils who have increased the incursions around Gianluigi Donnarumma’s rectangle. The Italian goalkeeper even made a spectacular fist save to deflect a Belgian cross.
In the final moments of the first act, with Frattesi once again in action, Italy almost made the break but Tonali got tangled up at the penalty spot and was unable to shoot (45th).
As soon as they returned from the locker room, the Belgian opportunities multiplied with, in quick succession, attempts from Arne Engels, with a shot passed well above the cages (49th), from Zeno Debast with a shot captured without much effort. difficulty by Donnarumma (50th) and Leandro Trossard (52nd).
While the Devils were on fire in the opposing rectangle, the Italian counterattack almost proved decisive but Mateo Retegui’s powerful ball was deflected with the fingertips of Koen Casteels (54th).
A first quarter of an hour of fire which revived the atmosphere in the stadium and the interest in a match which had been one-sided up until then. The second third of the second half saw the Belgians regain their appearance at the start of the match with a lack of creativity up front and too much permeability in defense.
Romelu Lukaku, back in the selection but shy since the start of this game, was dangerous and almost brought the equalizer but his header went a few centimeters from the post (79th) and left the Devils behind in the score until the end of the meeting. Even if a deflection from Wouter Faes’ head then hit the outside of the Italian post.
A final day with challenges
Italy and France have secured their tickets to the quarter-finals of the competition. With this result, the Red Devils remain in third place in group A2 with 4 points. Israel remains last but with a point on the clock which revives the interest of the last day.
The future of the Belgians in League A will be decided on Sunday at 8:45 p.m. in Budapest against the Israelis who remain in the race for the play-offs.
The third in the group will play play-offs next spring to remain in League A against a second in the group from League B. The team which finishes in fourth place in the group is automatically relegated to League B.
