Italy coach Mancini, on his return, loses the first match of the season in the Nations League at the "Olimpico", to Belgium, which wins 2-0. Van Bommel's team, which immediately seemed more excellent both technically and physically, takes the lead in the 20th minute through Godts, author of a great match together with De Bruyne. In the second half, despite a good reaction from the Italians, Belgium doubles the advantage with Lukebakio and manages a two-goal lead.
Belgium started strongly and, after the post hit by Pio Esposito at the beginning of the match (from an offside position), increased the pace and imposed its game. In the 7th minute, the first shot on goal was by De Ketelaere, but Donnarumma was ready. The “Red Devils” continued to grow: in the 20th minute, Romano lost the ball in midfield, De Bruyne went forward and was followed by Godts, who in the area avoided two opponents and beat goalkeeper Donnarumma with his right. Only three minutes passed and Van Bommel's team went close to the second goal with Raski, stopped by the Italian goalkeeper just a few meters from the goal. In the 27th minute it was Belgium again, this time with Diego Moreira: the Milan winger shot very badly with his right from just two steps away and saved the Italians, who were now in complete difficulty; Continuing the same action, Godts manages to shoot again, but once again Donnarumma closes the goal. Italy tries to react and, in the last 15 minutes, approaches Lammens' goal, first with Romano and then with Kean, without ever being truly dangerous.
In the second half, the Italians started with a different approach and in the 47th minute they came close to scoring an equaliser with Kean, but his shot from the centre of the penalty area was saved by Lammens. Two minutes later Pio Esposito also tried, but even in this case the Manchester United goalkeeper was confident. Van Bommel noticed his team's difficulties and decided to make the first substitutions. It was Lukebakio, who had been introduced for 10 minutes, who took the ball from De Ketelaere - the author of a great match - and in a counterattack scored 2-0 with a powerful left-footed shot at the far post, from outside the area. Mancini tried to change the situation and activated Zoma and Doumbia, in their absolute debut with the big national team, but without getting the hoped-for results.
TURKEY 0-1 FRANCE
With a victory in Turkey, Zinedine Zidane's adventure on the bench of France begins. The decisive goal, as expected, was a goal by Kylian Mbappé, after an assist from Olise in the 54th minute, after a first half in which it was the team of the technician Montella that proved to be the most dangerous, especially with Kadioglu. A few minutes after the goal, it was the number 10 of Real Madrid who was forced to ask for a substitution due to a knee injury.
Zidane's team started with some difficulties, as in the first half it was difficult to constantly become dangerous near Cakir's goal. The best chances came first with a header, and then with the left, from Adrien Rabiot, but the Milan midfielder did not find the goal. In the 28th minute, however, it was Turkey that came close to the advantage with Kadioglu, but Maignan proved ready with his header. In the second half, however, France needed nine minutes to find the advantage: Olise, with a penetrating pass with his left, served Mbappé, who alone, with his right, scored 1-0. Just five minutes later, the captain of the French national team was forced to be substituted due to a knee problem, which he had felt at the moment of the goal. France controlled the match in the end, while Turkey was still with ten men due to Cakir's red card.
OTHER MATCHES
In Group 2 of League B, Northern Ireland and Ukraine win, both 1-0 away, against Georgia and Hungary respectively: goals from Charles and Sikan decide. Same in League B, but in Group 4, Sweden defeats Romania 2-1 thanks to goals from Isak and Gyokeres; Dennis Man scores for Hague's team. Meanwhile, Poland and Bosnia draw 0-0.
In Group 2 of League C, Armenia defeats Latvia: Harutyunyan and Gharibyan are decisive. Montenegro wins 2-1, led by the "Italians" Krstovic and Osmajic; Edwards scores for the Cypriots.
EVENING RESULTS
League A: Group 1
Italy 0-2 Belgium
Turkey 0-1 France
League B: Group 2
Georgia 0-1 Northern Ireland
Hungary 0-1 Ukraine
League B: Group 4
Poland 0-0 Bosnia and Herzegovina
Sweden 2-1 Romania
League C: Group 2
Armenia 2-0 Latvia
Montenegro 2-1 Cyprus
