Belgium beats Italy 4-1 to reach Nations League quarter-finals under Mark van Bommel

Belgium needed a win over Italy in the last matchday to advance, and Mark van Bommel's side delivered it. Italy's Pio Esposito opened the scoring after eleven minutes, but Belgium then scored three goals in eleven minutes to turn the match around. Maxim De Cuyper equalised after a quick attack, Nathan Ngoy put Belgium ahead from a rebound, and Jérémy Doku weaved through five Italian defenders before scoring past Gianluigi Donnarumma.

Diego Moreira sealed the 4-1 win in the 80th minute, assisted by Kevin De Bruyne, who was named man of the match. Esposito missed a penalty for Italy in stoppage time. The quarter-finals will be played in March 2027, with the semi-finals and final in June. France, who beat Turkey 2-0, also qualified, joining Spain, England and Portugal. The draw takes place on Friday, 20 November, and Belgium could be paired with the Netherlands, which is nearly certain to reach the final phase.