Kevin De Bruyne and Michy Batshuayi gave Belgium their first victory as the world’s top-ranked nation with a late strike to secure a 3-1 win over Italy in Brussels.
Advertisement
Pelle and Eder were regular threats for Italy and were denied at times by an outstanding Mignolet, while de Bruyne in particular had a fine game for Belgium.
Italy’s central defence was at fault on 75 minutes when De Bruyne hit Belgium’s second goal.
Belgium, meanwhile, continues to impress with a cast of players that dominate the English Premier league and have a big impact in the French and Italian leagues too. “I have an excellent goalie”, the Belgium coach, Marc Wilmots, said.
An third-minute Antonio Candreva goal, finished from close range after Simon Mignolet pushed out Graziano Pelle’s shot, threatened to upset the side now ranked No 1 in the world.
But the Azzurri couldn’t live up to their reputation for being the best to protect any lead.
Vertonghen was left unmarked as De Bruyne delivered a flawless corner for the Tottenham defender to head home.
Italy paid for that as De Bruyne struck after 74 minutes.
Belgium capped their comeback when Yannick Carrasco and Batshuayi combined through the centre for another excellent goal.
The stadium formerly Heysel Stadium in an older incarnation, is where 39 fans, mostly Italian, lost their lives 30 years ago during a Juventus-Liverpool European Cup final.
Captain Vincent Kompany is also out of both games as he is troubled by a calf injury and, after already angering Manchester City by fielding him last month at the end of an injury spell, Wilmots is looking to keep risks to a minimum.
Advertisement
Italy was without the injured Marco Verratti and are struggling to find a replacement in the playmaker position, meaning Andrea Pirlo, who is 36 and playing in the United States, could still play a major role.
