Italy crisis deepens as Belgium’s win stalls World Cup rebuild in Rome | Football | Al Jazeera

Six months after failing to qualify for a third consecutive World Cup, four-time champion Italy is still struggling. In a Nations League match in Rome, Italy was defeated 2-0 by Belgium, a World Cup quarterfinalist, in their first game since a playoff loss to Bosnia and Herzegovina in March. Roberto Mancini returned as Italy’s coach, while Belgium’s new coach Mark van Bommel celebrated a successful debut. Only 47,155 spectators attended at the Stadio Olimpico, and Italy conceded two goals on counterattacks, with Mika Godts scoring his first international goal and Dodi Lukebakio adding a second.