Belgium 4-1 Italy: Van Bommel's side clinch quarter-final spot with comeback win

Belgium's superb first-half turnaround helped secure a 4-1 win over Italy in the Nations League to secure their quarter-final place at the Azzurri's expense.

Italy led Group A1 heading into this game, and they took the lead through Francesco Pio Esposito, but Maxim De Cuyper, Nathan Ngoy and Jeremy Doku scored within 11 first-half minutes to turn things around in Brussels.

Diego Moreira added some late gloss before Senne Lammens kept out Esposito's late penalty, and it was enough for Belgium to clinch second place behind France.

Lammens made a stunning double save to keep out Nicolo Fagioli and Niccolo Pisilli, while Gianluigi Donnarumma was also on hand to deny Ngoy at the other end.

Italy took the lead in the 11th minute as Michael Kayode found space down the right to curl in a low cross for Esposito, who fired in off the underside of the crossbar.

However, Belgium soon flipped the game on its head. Kevin De Bruyne's shot was charged down, and Timothy Castagne's knockdown into the middle was helped on by Charles De Ketelaere, with an unmarked De Cuyper turning past Donnarumma after 15 minutes.

The turnaround was completed 22 minutes in; Donnarumma could only half-clear Brandon Mechele's header to Ngoy, who lifted it into the roof of the net.

Doku scored the pick of the bunch four minutes later as he latched onto De Ketelaere's touch, skipped through three white shirts and calmly converted past Donnarumma to put Belgium in control.

Doku and De Bruyne were then thwarted by Donnarumma, who kept Italy within two goals by half-time, while De Ketelaere saw a looping header clip the crossbar after the break.

Belgium got their fourth goal in the 80th minute, as the hosts broke quickly on the counter, with Doku switching play out to the right. De Bruyne then laid it off to Moreira, who lifted his strike over Donnarumma to make sure of their quarter-final place.

Nicolas Raskin was penalised for a handball in the box, following a VAR review, and Esposito stepped up from 12 yards, but Lammens got down sharply to deny him before Issa Doumbia saw a last-gasp consolation ruled out for offside.

Belgium turn on the style when it matters

Mark van Bommel believed France had underestimated Italy in their 3-1 loss last time out in his pre-match press conference, and he was determined for his side to not make that mistake.

After a disappointing start, Van Bommel made good on his promise with Belgium responding brilliantly to going behind for the second straight game.

As they did against Turkiye, Belgium conceded first, with Esposito becoming the second-youngest player (21 years and 140 days) to score 10 goals for Italy after Giuseppe Meazza.

But Belgium were deserving of their win, with Doku and De Bruyne leading their charge. The latter had a joint-game-high five shots (level with Moreira), and created five chances, getting one assist in the process.

Doku showed off fine footwork to get his goal and had four shots, while also leading the game for successful dribbles (7/14) and duels won (12/21).

Overall, Belgium managed 22 attempts worth 3.42 expected goals (xG), while they also hit the woodwork three times. Italy, by contrast, racked up 1.9 xG from 12 attempts.

It is a disappointing finish to the Nations League campaign for Italy, who only needed a draw to qualify, but instead, will have to settle for a third-place finish, thanks to France's 2-1 win over Turkiye.