Italy suffered a painful 4-1 defeat away to Belgium in their final Nations League group match, ending their hopes of reaching the quarter-finals. The visitors made a dream start, with Pio Esposito opening the scoring early on after being set up by Michael Kayode. However, Belgium soon took control and struck three times in just 11 minutes through Maxim De Cuyper, Cyril Ngonge and Jeremy Doku.

After the break, Gianluigi Donnarumma denied Kevin De Bruyne with an important save, while Charles De Ketelaere rattled the crossbar. But Diego Moreira eventually added a fourth for the hosts to complete the rout. In stoppage time, Esposito had the chance to reduce the deficit from the penalty spot, but lost his battle with goalkeeper Senne Lammens.

Italy finished third in the group behind France and Belgium, missing out on a place in the Nations League quarter-finals.

UEFA Nations League 2026-27

Belgium - Italy 4-1 (3-1)
Goals: Pio Esposito, 11 (0-1); De Cuyper, 15 (1-1); Ngoy N., 22 (2-1); Doku J., 26 (3-1); Moreira D., 80 (4-1)

Belgium: Lammens; Mechele; De Cuyper; Ngoy N. (Theate, 87); Castagne; Lavia (Raskin, 76); De Bruyne (Trossard, 87); Tielemans; De Ketelaere; Moreira D. (Lukebakio, 87); Doku J. (Godts, 90)
Substitution: Raskin (from 76); Theate (from 87); Lukebakio (from 87); Trossard (from 87); Godts (from 90)
Bench: Vandevoordt; Penders; Sabbe; Seys; Vanaken; Lukaku R.; Cuypers

Italy: Donnarumma G.; Kayode M.; Scalvini (Cisse Al., 62); Calafiori; Bastoni; Tonali (Palestra, 62); Fagioli (Doumbia, 46); Pisilli (Dimarco, 46); Barella; Koleosho (Vergara A., 76); Pio Esposito
Substitution: Dimarco (from 46); Doumbia (from 46); Palestra (from 62); Cisse Al. (from 62); Vergara A. (from 76)
Bench: Carnesecchi; Vicario G.; Ahanor; Ghilardi; Romano; Liberali; Scamacca
Yellow Cards: Tonali 45; Scalvini 51; Donnarumma G. 81