Nicolo Barella and Domenico Berardi scored as Italy beat Belgium 2-1 in the Nations League third place play-off in Turin.
2020/2021 UEFA Nations League
2-1
Match Report
After a goalless first half, Barella put Italy ahead in the early stages of a the second period with a sweetly struck volley. Berardi added a penalty to double the lead for Roberto Mancini's team.
Belgium caused a scare for Italy late on as Charles De Ketelaere got a goal back, but Italy held on to secure victory.
Belgium struck the crossbar in each half, first through Alexis Saelemaekers and then Michy Batshuayi, and Yannick Carrasco hit the post.
Both teams contained talented players but some key individuals were named on the bench, such as Jorginho for Italy and Kevin De Bruyne for Belgium.
Italy were beaten by France in the semi-finals, while Belgium lost to Spain in an enthralling encounter.
Mancini's side started very brightly, with the highly regarded Federico Chiesa having a shot blocked before shooting over the crossbar shortly afterwards.
Belgium were without star striker Romelu Lukaku due to muscle fatigue, so Michy Batshuayi started up front and he had his side's first opportunity of the game in the eighth minute but shot over.
Italy continued to pose a bigger threat, with Giacomo Raspadori causing problems for the Belgium defence.
However, Alexis Saelemaekers then proceeded to strike the crossbar for Belgium.
On one occasion Hans Vanaken had to be alert to track back and make an important interception to cut out an Italy attack.
Chiesa then threatened again but his effort went well wide. The winger then had an effort denied by Thibaut Courtois, who managed to deflect the ball wide with his boot.
After a goalless first half, the deadlock was broken just a minute into the second half, with Barella scoring with an emphatic strike.
Italy threatened to add to their lead, with Courtois having to be alert to make an intervention.
Belgium then brought on De Bruyne for Tielemans, while De Ketelaere entered the fray in place of Saelemaekers.
De Ketelaere got on the ball straight away and threaded a pass into the path of Batshuayi, who hit the crossbar.
However, Belgium's hopes of a comeback were hindered when Italy were awarded a penalty when Timothy Castagne fouled Chiesa in the area.
Domenico Berardi stepped up to take the spot-kick and managed to convert it despite Courtois getting a hand to the ball.
Belgium refused to give up, with Gianluigi Donnarumma failing to hold the ball on one occasion before redeeming himself with a smart stop to thwart Toby Alderweireld.
Alderweireld went for goal again but Donnarumma was again equal to it.
Carrasco then struck the post and Belgium continued to threaten.
They were eventually rewarded for their persistence as De Ketelaere got his first international goal as he reduced the deficit having been found by De Bruyne, with Courtois having initiated the move.
Belgium looked to get an equaliser and send the game to a penalty shoot-out but Italy managed to hold on.
Match Events
0' The match is about to start!
0' KICK-OFF! Who can win this match?
2' CHANCE! Chiesa's shot blocked
7' CLOSE! Batshuayi's shot over the bar
26' OFF THE BAR! Saelemaekers nearly scores
29' Yellow Card! Di Lorenzo booked
45' Unbelievable! What a miss from Chiesa
47' GOAL! Italy 1-0 Belgium (Barella)
60' CLOSE! Batshuayi's shot hits the bar
64' Penalty Goal! Italy 2-0 Belgium (Berardi)
77' CLOSE! Alderweireld's shot denied by Donnarumma
82' OFF THE POST! Carrasco nearly scores for Belgium
85' GOAL! Italy 2-1 Belgium (De Ketelaere)
Line-ups
Italy XI: Acerbi, Emerson, Di Lorenzo, Berardi, Barella, Locatelli, Pellegrini, Donnarumma, Bastoni, Chiesa, G. Raspadori
Subs: Chiellini, Sirigu, Verratti, Insigne, Jorginho, Cristante, Dimarco, Bernardeschi, Meret, Kean
Belgium XI: Vertonghen, Witsel, Alderweireld, Courtois, Vanaken, Carrasco, Batshuayi, Tielemans, Castagne, Denayer, A. Saelemaekers
Subs: Mignolet, De Bruyne, Casteels, Boyata, Trossard, Dendoncker, D. Lukébakio, De Ketelaere, A. Theate