Belgium vs Italy

Brussels’ King Baudouin Stadium forms the backdrop for a high-stakes UEFA Nations League meeting between Belgium and Italy.

Belgium’s downfall after a frustrating last-16 elimination at Euro 2024 knows no limit, with Domenico Tedesco’s side on the verge of missing out on the Nations League quarter-finals. Despite a 3-1 win at the beginning of their Group A2 campaign, the hosts languish five points behind second-placed France after going winless in their last three matches (D1, L2). The only point in that sequence came against Italy, with ‘De Rode Duivels’ capitalizing on numerical advantage to haul back a two-goal deficit in a 2-2 draw at the Stadio Olimpico last month. However, they remain winless against the Italians in competitive action since 1972 (D2, L4). The only consolation comes from the fact three of their four historic H2H wins arrived on home soil (W4, D5, L16).

In contrast to Belgium’s form wobble, Italy’s response to an early Euro 2024 elimination has been decisive. Except for the abovementioned stalemate in the reverse fixture, Luciano Spalletti’s men have won three other Group A2 matches, including a 4-1 thumping of Israel last time out. It’s worth mentioning that ‘Gli Azzurri’ overhauled an early deficit in a 3-1 away win against France on matchday one, hence a one-point lead at the table’s summit ahead of the final two rounds. A third consecutive top-table finish in the Nations League group stages is on the cards as the visitors take this trip amid a formidable record in this competition’s group phase (W18, D10, L2), including a four-game winning streak in foreign lands.