Italy had been comfortably leading 2-0 with Andrea Cambiaso and Mateo Retegui, but Lorenzo Pellegrini’s red card changed everything in a hard-fought 2-2 draw with Belgium.
The Azzurri were top of the Nations League group after wins away to France and Israel, with a three-point cushion from Les Bleus and the Red Devils. Although Nicolò Barella, Moise Kean, Marco Brescianini and Gianluca Scamacca were among those out of action. Italy-born coach Domenico Tedesco missed Kevin de Bruyne, Amadou Onana and Romelu Lukaku.
See how it unfolded on the Liveblog
Italy conceded in the opening minute in Paris, but this time they took the lead immediately. Federico Dimarco surged down the left, completed a give-and-go with Mateo Retegui, and rolled across for Andrea Cambiaso in the six-yard box. His first attempt was parried by Koen Casteels, but the rebound was bundled over the line for the Juventus winger’s debut Italy goal.
Moments later, Davide Frattesi ran onto the long Alessandro Bastoni pass and pulled it back from the by-line with a dinked assist, but Arthur Theate managed to clear.
Jeremy Doku’s attempt was deflected over for a corner, but Italy doubled their lead with a wonderfully-worked goal.
It was played out from the back, but the highlight was Dimarco’s first-time cross-field pass to release Cambiaso down the right, he cut inside and his low left-foot drive was parried with one hand by Casteels into the path of Retegui.
Frattesi’s diving header on a Dimarco cross went wide, but the game changed when Lorenzo Pellegrini went into a sliding tackle and caught ex-Bologna defender Theate on the ankle. At first a yellow card, it was changed to red following a VAR On-Field Review.
To make matters worse, Belgium then scored on the resulting free kick, which was worked to find Maxim De Cuyper for a left-foot curler into the far bottom corner from the edge of the area.
Straight after the restart, 10-man Italy had a chance to restore their two-goal cushion, but Frattesi blasted over after controlling an Alessandro Bastoni long ball, rather than passing to Retegui.
The pressure was growing and Belgium managed to equalise when Faes nodded down a corner for Leandro Trossard at full stretch to flick it in at the near post.
There was almost another disaster moments later, when Openda went clear on goal and Bastoni dived into the tackle, but the referee opted for a corner and VAR agreed following their silent check.
Openda deflected the De Cuyper effort off target with Donnarumma heading the other way, while Dodi Lukebakio blasted over.
There was controversy when Frattesi intercepted a loose pass in the final third and his shot was charged down by Faes, but despite penalty appeals for handball, it seemed to strike his hip first.
Italy 2-2 Belgium
Cambiaso 1 (I), Retegui 24 (I), De Cuyper 42 (B), Trossard 61 (B)
Sent off: Pellegrini 38 (I)
Player statistic
| Andrea Cambiaso |  |
1' | ||
| Mateo Retegui | |
24' | ||
| Lorenzo Pellegrini |  |
40' | ||
| 41' | |
Maxim De Cuyper (Assist: Leandro Trossard) |
| 61' | |
Leandro Trossard | ||
| 65' |  |
Leandro Trossard | ||
| Gianluigi Donnarumma | |
90' | ||
| Niccolò Pisilli | |
90+6' |
Match statistic
easy to play on pellegrini! fact is, overconfidence had the Italy midfielders playing 50/50 straight balls into midfield but twice got away with it! tonali and ricci both culprits! luck finally ran out when another straight ball went to the slowest player on the pitch and the rest is history
My BFF on BigSoccer AGomes aka Totti fan agrees with me. Pellegrini’s red was deserved but we also deserved a VAR gift in the form of a penalty kick on the hand ball call.
Can someone explain to me why pellegrini is still called up for the Italian squad and still given the no.10 shirt. As soon as I seen his name on the team line up, I refused to watch the game as I knew he would influence it in a negative way. Absolutely rubbish player and should never wear the no.10
Lucio! because he plays for Roma and spalletti managed Roma! only reason he has picked pisilli when there are far more in form players at lesser fancied clubs he wont touch
Ok understood Rosario! But that doesn’t make me feel any better. At least get him to clean the boots or hand out oranges at halftime. Really no.10, the guy should have ?? On his back. Awful player.
Lucio.
Every coach seems to always have that one darling.
Pellegrini has missed 46 games over the past 4 seasons. Unfortunately they’ve taken their toll. He thinks he can maybe revive the player of 3-4 seasons ago, but it is easy to see that the sharpness isn’t there anymore.
Can anyone remember the last match Pellegrini played well in? He seems out of sorts with the national team. Please give the guy a different number… not dynamic enough in my opinion. He s not the worst #10. Remember Thiago Motta? I m not kidding… look it up. Aside from the red card, Italy showed a lot of courage and grit, still pushing forward at times with only 10 men. Ricci really impressed and Retegui s motor and willingness to sacrifice for his teammates was awesome to see. Forza Azzurri!