Belgium thrashes Italy 4-1 to advance in Nations League

BRUSSELS, BELGIUM - NOVEMBER 15: Diego Moreira of Belgium scores his team's fourth goal past Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma during the UEFA Nations League 2026/27 group phase match between Belgium and Italy at King Baudouin Stadium on November 15, 2026 in Brussels, Belgium.
Rene Nijhuis/MB Media / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Belgium thumped Italy 4-1 to advance to the Nations League quarter-finals.

Sitting third in Group A1 ahead of kick-off and needing a win to qualify for the last eight, Belgium had their backs up against the wall when Francesco Pio Esposito volleyed Italy ahead in the 11th minute.

But Belgium blew Italy away in the following quarter of an hour, with Maxim De Cuyper and Nathan Ngoy bundling the hosts ahead before Jeremy Doku slalomed through the Azzurri defence and confidently shot home.

Mark van Bommel's team deservedly claimed a spot in the quarters and made sure the scoreline reflected the balance of play when one of many attacks against an open Italy defence ended with Diego Moreira slotting home with 10 minutes remaining.

A dismal night for Italy, who were top of the group after beating France last time out and just needed a draw to go through, was made even worse when Senne Lammens saved Esposito's weak late penalty.

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