Italy picked up a 2-1 win over Belgium in the third-place playoff of the UEFA Nations League earlier tonight.
The Italians were beaten by Spain in the semi-finals of the competition.
Goals from Nicolo Barella and Domenico Berardi handed the European champions a 2-0 lead. The Red Devils did well to get back into the game through Charles De Ketelaera four minutes from time.
However, it was too little too late for the Belgians and Italy managed to grind out the all-important victory eventually.
Here at Anytime football, will get the three major talking points from tonight’s contest.
Unlucky Belgium denied by the crossbar
Belgium will feel that they could have picked up a win on another day with a bit of luck.
Roberto Martinez’s side managed to hit the crossbar three times throughout the game and the lack of quality finisher ended up costing them dearly.
The likes of Alexis Saelemaekers, Michy Batshuayi and Yannick Carrasco hit the frame of the goal.
Belgium will feel that they could have fared better with the likes of Romelu Lukaku leading the line tonight.
Federico Chiesa remains a game-changer
The Italian winger did not get on the score sheet tonight but he was still the difference maker for his country.
The Juventus winger drew an excellent save from Thibaut Courtois just before halftime and it was he who won the penalty after the four from Timothy Castagne in the second half.
The penalty was efficiently put away by Domenico Berardi, a goal that proved to be the winner eventually.
Too many changes for Belgium
Roberto Martinez fielded his second-string attack tonight and the Spaniard’s decision backfired.
The likes of Romelu Lukaku, Dries Mertens, Eden Hazard and Jeremy Doku were all absent against Italy and Kevin De Bruyne was brought on in the final 30 minutes of the game.
Italy took advantage of a weakened Belgian side and managed to grind out a result in the end.
