'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
In a repeat of their Euro 2020 quarter-final, Italy beat Belgium 2-1 to clinch third place in the 2021 UEFA Nations League. Goals from Nicolo Barella and Domenico Berardi were enough for the reigning European champions, despite Charles De Ketelaere pulling one back for the Red Devils late on.
The first half was an open affair, with both sides creating and missing chances galore. The Azzurri, in particular, were left frustrated by Berardi, Giacomo Raspadori and Federico Chiesa, all of whom spurned good opportunities to break the deadlock. But there was respite for them early on after the break, as Barella fired home the opener with a stunning effort in the 46th minute.
Another 20 minutes later, Chiesa won a penalty for the hosts after being fouled inside the area by Timothy Castagne. Berardi stepped up and made no mistake from the spot. Thibaut Courtois got a hand to his effort, but there was too much power in Berardi's effort, which nestled into the top corner of the net.
The game was essentially over for the Red Devils, who saw two more opportunities squandered by Toby Alderweireld and Mitchy Batshuayi after Italy's second goal. Ketelaere rounded off a quick corner by slotting through the legs of Gianluigi Donnarumma, but a comeback was not to be.
Italy eventually held on for the win to secure a third-place finish in the second edition of the competition. Belgium, meanwhile, were consigned to consecutive defeats in the Nations League. On that note, here are the five hits and flops from either team in the match:
Hit: Federico Chiesa (Italy)
Federico Chiesa has grown into a valuable player for Italy. He was their best and the most consistent performer at Euro 2020. Against Belgium on Sunday, he played a key role in helping the Azzurri to a podium finish in the Nations League with a top performance.
He came under fire in the first half for missing a good chance. The Juventus star blazed an open chance wide towards the end of the opening stanza, which could have given Italy the lead on the night.
But the 23-year-old improved after the break. He created a few good chances before winning a penalty which Berardi dispatched to double Italy's advantage, and effectively seal the contest.
Chiesa was adventurous and full of energy. He was a constant threat for the Red Devils with his fiery runs down the left flank, proving his worth to Roberto Mancini's side once again.
Flop: Mitchy Batshuayi (Belgium)
With no Romelu Lukaku around, this was a terrific opportunity for Mitchy Batshuayi to impress Roberto Martinez with a good performance and bolster his first-team chances. But the Besiktas forward squandered that by dropping a stinker.
Struggling to get involved in the match, Batshuayi cut an isolated figure up front for most of the game. He started brightly with a testing shot from range, but it flew into the stands. When presented with a clear opportunity after the break, he found the woodwork.
In the intervening period, there was little to write home about. He ended the game without mustering a single effort on target, and didn't really play a part in the build-ups either. Batshuayi completed only six passes in 90 minutes of action.
Hit: Gianluigi Donnarumma (Italy)
In an enticing battle between two modern-day goalkeeping greats, Italy's Gianluigi Donnarumma came up trumps against Thibaut Courtois with a fine performance.
The PSG custodian produced two impeccable saves after the break to protect Italy's lead. Although his citadel was breached by Belgium, who pulled a goal back, it takes nothing away from his valuable contributions on the night.
The first half was relatively easy for Donnarumma. Saelemaekers' effort coming off the crossbar was the only nervous moment in his area in that period. Nevertheless, the Italy goalkeeper remained vigilant, and distributed the ball excellently.
After the break, Donnarumma made a crucial stop to deny Alderwiereld after making a mess of a catch. A little while later, he pulled off another vital save off the defender with Italy leading 2-0.
On both occasions, the Red Devils could've easily scored if it wasn't for Donnarumma, who effectively helped Italy win on the night.
Flop: Giacomo Raspadori (Italy)
Batshuayi wasn't the only striker who had a torrid time in front of goal. His Italian counterpart, Giacomo Raspadori, also failed to give a good account of himself.
In only his sixth outing for the Azzurri, this was a chance for him to stake a claim for a starting berth in an Italian team stacked with quality options. But the Sassuolo forward was a complete no-show on the day.
Barring one moment in the first half when Raspadori burst forward to latch onto a Chiesa through-ball, he gave Belgium almost nothing to worry about all night.
He ended that move by getting a shot away, but Castagne intervened at the right time to deflect his effort off target. That was the closest Raspadori would come to scoring on the night as he soon faded.
Hit: Kevin De Bruyne (Belgium)
Is it any coincidence that Belgium managed to pull a goal back only after Kevin De Bruyne entered the fray? The playmaking wizard got an assist for Ketelaere's goal after brilliantly spotting the youngster's run.
It was a tad too late, though, as the Azzurri were already two goals to the good, and the Red Devils could've used De Bruyne's creativity much earlier. Nevertheless, the midfield metronome proved his worth to the team once again.
The Manchester City star, even in his limited time on the field, laid more key passes (3) than Belgium's front three of Batshuayi, Saelemaekers and Vanaken together (1).
Lively throughout the game after coming on, De Bruyne added attacking threat with his proficient passing and vision. It's no wonder, then, that he had a big role to play in Belgium's goal on the night.
He latched onto a brilliant pass from Courtois and sprinted forward before picking out an onrushing Ketelaere, who did the rest without erring.
