It was fairly comfortable for Belgium against Italy

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Italy 0 - 2 Belgium

Mark van Bommel's Belgium began their Nations League campaign with a victory over Roberto Mancini's Italy in Rome.

Author | Ed 

Stadium | Stadio Olympico 

The former Netherlands midfielder was taking charge of the Red Devils for the first time, while Mancini was beginning his second spell as Italy manager.

View from the stands at Italy v Belgium

Mancini spoke with the media after the match, saying: "We need to think positively and not keep banging on all the time about what has happened in the past," Mancini said when asked whether Italy's failure to qualify for the World Cup was still hanging over the country.

Mancini previously managed Italy between 2018 and 2023, guiding them to victory at Euro 2020.

A closer analysis of what happened here

Paris St-Germain's Mika Godts opened the scoring with his first Belgium goal, cutting inside two defenders in the penalty area before firing into the net.

Benfica's Dodi Lukebakio then doubled the lead after carrying the ball from his own half and unleashing a 25-yard strike.

Mancini introduced Sporting's Issa Doumbia and Nuremberg's Mohamed Ali Zoma late on for their international debuts.

The pair had been team-mates at Serie C club AlbinoLeffe as recently as the 2023-24 season.

Location: Rome, Metropolitan City of Rome Capital, Italy

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