ROME - Italy remain top of their group in the Nations League after a tense draw with Belgium. The Azzurri held out for a 2-2 draw after their captain Lorenzo Pellegrini was sent off by VAR who upgraded his initial yellow card for the horror challenge.  

  The Italians started very positively in the match scoring in the first minute. The Azzurri brilliantly passed the ball all the way from their defensive third down the left-wing, before Federico Dimarco swung the ball dangerously into Belgium’s box, providing a tap-in for their striker Andrea Cambioso. 

 Their second goal came from a similarly brilliant passage of team passing. Starting again in their own defensive third, the Italians dissected the Belgium midfield before this time moving the ball to the right-hand side of the pitch allowing Andrea Cambioso to take a shot on goal. Belgium keeper Koen Casteels made a valiant effort, saving the shot and padding the ball away to his right-hand side. However, the speed of Italy’s play prevented Belgium defenders getting back in time, leaving the ball at the feet Mateo Retegui who slid the ball into the goal for Italy’s second. 

 However, the red card in the 40th minute completely changed the dynamic of the match. Belgium fought back defiantly scoring their first goal within two minutes of the sending-off. A brilliant set piece move from a freekick just outside the Italian penalty box was finished off by Maxim De Cuyper who guided the ball into the left-hand corner of the goal. 

 The Belgians then levelled the match in the 61st minute thanks to some quick reactions by Leandro Trossard, who poked the ball past the keeper following a header back into the penalty box from a corner. 

 The game level with 30 minutes to play, opportunities presented themselves to both teams to take home all three points. However, neither side was clinical, with shots from both teams going everywhere except the back of the net. 

 Overall, a positive result for Italy given they had to play over half the match with only 10 men. The Azzurri will hope to bounce back to their winning ways in their next match against Israel on Monday. 

tjpw