Italy travel to the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels for the final Nations League group game, with kick-off at 19.45 GMT (20.45 CET). The Azzurri lead the group on 10 points, level with France but ahead on head-to-head record, while Belgium sit on nine. A draw would be enough for Italy to reach the quarter-finals, but a win is required to top the group outright. Roberto Mancini opened his tenure with a 2-0 home defeat to Belgium only seven weeks ago, which makes the current position a remarkable turnaround.

Around 4,200 Italy fans are expected in the sold-out stadium. Belgium coach Mark van Bommel has warned that Italy are being underestimated, even while saying he is no fan of their style of play. Romeo Lavia returns to the Italy side after missing the trip to Turkiye through suspension. Italy have a strong record on Belgian soil, winning six of their nine visits, including a 1-0 win in the Nations League in November 2024, and they are unbeaten there since a 3-1 friendly defeat.S1

Mancini has made some surprising selections. Luca Koleosho is promoted from the Under-21 side to join Niccolò Pisilli and Pio Esposito in attack, while Dimarco and Vergara, who were tipped to start, are left out of the starting line-up. Pisilli, who was not even on the bench against France, is seen as more versatile and able to link midfield and attack. Belgium, led by Kevin De Bruyne and Charles De Ketelaere, line up with Lammens in goal and Lavia and Tielemans in midfield, while Italy start with Donnarumma in goal and Barella and Tonali in midfield.S1S2

Before kick-off, Mancini paid his respects to the victims of the Heysel disaster and explained his decision to leave Sebastiano Esposito out of the matchday squad. The referee for the match is Eskas of Norway.S1