Italy vs Belgium. UEFA Nations League 3rd/4th Play-Off.
Juventus StadiumAttendance16,724.
Match report and free highlights as Charles De Ketelaere pulls back late consolation but Italy seal third place in UEFA Nations League with controlled victory over Belgium; Nicolo Barella and Domenico Berardi penalty secure win in Turin
Sunday 10 October 2021 16:18, UK
Nicolo Barella's thunderous strike and a penalty converted by Domenico Berardi proved enough to earn hosts Italy a 2-1 victory over Belgium on Sunday and third place in this year's Nations League.
It offered some consolation for the European champions, whose semi-final loss to Spain in Milan on Wednesday ended their record 37-match unbeaten run.
They returned to winning ways as Barella volleyed a poor corner clearance into the net one minute into the second half and Berardi added the second from the spot in the 65th minute, after Timothy Castagne had brought down the tricky Federico Chiesa.
Belgium claimed a consolation in the 86th minute when substitute Charles De Ketelaere finished off a quick counter- attack.
Belgium, who were without Eden Hazard and Romelu Lukaku and only brought on Kevin De Bruyne in the second half, hit the woodwork three times but were outplayed for large portions of the contest by the hosts at the Juventus Stadium.
Early chances for Berardi and Giacomo Raspadori were dealt with by the Belgian defence before Alexis Saelemaekers, who plays in Serie A with AC Milan, slammed a shot against the Italian crossbar in the 28th minute.
But immediately after the break, the Belgians fell behind to Barella's snap effort, cleanly hit after a clearing header from a corner fell perfectly into his path.
Michy Batshuayi then had an effort come back off the woodwork as Belgium came close to a 60th minute equaliser but fell 2-0 behind when Castagne mistimed a tackle on Chiesa to offer Italy a chance to extend their lead from the penalty spot. Berardi's kick squeezed past Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
Toby Alderweireld then proved an unlikely attacking threat with two efforts that brought out fine stops from Italys goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma before Yannick Carrasco smashed a curling shot against the Italian post in the final 10 minutes.
Courtois quick clearance set up Belgium's goal with De Bruyne passing to the youthful De Ketelaere to squeeze it past Donnarumma from close range, but it came too late to offer a dramatic finish to the game.
France and Spain meet in the Nations League final in Milan later on Sunday, live on Sky Sports.
Belgium resume their World Cup qualifying campaign at home to Estonia on Saturday November 13; kick-off 7.45pm. Italy host Switzerland the previous night in Group C as they look to seal their place at next year's World Cup.
