Italy vs Belgium
Belgium stuns Italy with a clinical double strike
M. Godts and D. Lukebakio secure a confident 2-0 win away from home
Belgium delivered a sharp performance in the UEFA Nations League, shutting out Italy with goals from M. Godts in the first half and D. Lukebakio after the break. The 2-0 scoreline was a clear statement, defying Fipster's low-confidence prediction of a narrow home win. Italy were left scoreless as Belgium took the spoils with a composed display.
Analysis
Italy and Belgium face off in what promises to be a tightly contested match. With both sides boasting strong attacking options, expect a game of tactical battles and moments of individual brilliance.
This is the opening round of the competition, with Italy ranked 2nd and Belgium 3rd in the standings, both yet to earn points. Their recent head-to-head meetings favour Italy, who have won four of five encounters, but Belgium will be keen to challenge that record.
Belgium may start strong, as suggested by the predicted halftime score of 0-1 in their favour, likely thanks to the threat posed by Romelu Lukaku, who has been prolific in Serie A. However, Italy's midfield creativity, led by Nicolo Barella and Matteo Politano, is expected to turn the tide in the second half. Kevin De Bruyne remains Belgium's chief playmaker, but Italy's defensive resilience, particularly from Leonardo Spinazzola, could prove decisive.
Prediction
The forecast is for Italy to come from behind and secure a 2-1 victory. The confidence level is moderate at 40%, reflecting the close probabilities between outcomes. Expect Italy to rally after the break, capitalising on their home advantage and tactical adjustments.
Outcome probability
Match factors
Italy's attacking midfield depth
Italy's midfielders like Barella and Politano provide creativity and pace to challenge Belgium's defense.
Belgium's reliance on De Bruyne for assists
De Bruyne's elite assist ability and set-piece role give Belgium a key creative edge.
Lukaku's consistent scoring form
Lukaku's strong Serie A goal record suggests he will be Belgium's main scoring threat.
No confirmed absences for either team
Both teams have full squads available, ensuring strongest lineups and tactical options.
Key Takeaways
In summary, this match should provide plenty of excitement with Italy staging a comeback to edge Belgium. Key players on both sides will influence the outcome, but Italy's depth and resilience are likely to shine through in the end.
- Italy have won 4 of the last 5 meetings against Belgium.
- Head-to-head matches average 2.6 goals per game.
- Italy are currently ranked 2nd in the competition standings.
- Belgium sit just below Italy in 3rd place with no points yet.
- Predicted halftime score is 0-1 in favour of Belgium.
- Most probable fulltime score is 2-1 to Italy.
- Total cards expected in the match are 4.
Team Comparison
Season shape — attack, defence, form, clean sheets & win rate
Home vs Away comparison
Goal difference in each of the last few fixtures — above the line is a net win, below is a net loss
Season comparison
Goals scored & conceded, goal difference and clean sheets across the season
Halftime Performance
What each side does once the whistle goes for half time
Streaks
Recent-form runs — each side’s most-recent game meets in the middle
Head to Head
FIFA world ranking
Godts
Assist: De Bruyne
Raskin
Yellow Card
Diego Moreira
Yellow Card
De Bruyne
Diego Moreira
Mancini
Yellow Card
Unknown
Coppola
Esposito
Lukebakio
Assist: De Ketelaere
Raskin
Lavia
Yellow Card
Cambiaghi
Barella
Godts
De Ketelaere
Fernandez-Pardo
Yellow Card
| # | Team | P | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Match Statistics
Italy
4-3-3Starting XI
- 1G. DonnarummaG
- 5R. CalafioriD
- 6D. CoppolaD
- 7F. EspositoF
- 8S. TonaliM
- 9M. KeanF
- 18N. BarellaM
- 21N. CambiaghiF
- 22G. Di LorenzoD
- 23G. ManciniD
Substitutes
- 2M. KayodeD
- 3H. AhanorD
- 10G. RaspadoriF
- 11G. ScamaccaF
- 12M. CarnesecchiG
- 13R. MandragoraM
- 14G. VicarioG
- 15I. DoumbiaM
- 16D. FrattesiM
- 19G. ScalviniD
- 20D. MaldiniF
Belgium
4-2-3-1Starting XI
- 1S. LammensG
- 4B. MecheleD
- 5M. De CuyperD
- 7K. De BruyneM
- 8Y. TielemansM
- 10M. GodtsM
- 15N. NgoyD
- 17C. De KetelaereF
- 19Diego MoreiraM
- 21T. CastagneD
- 23N. RaskinM
Substitutes
- 2Z. DebastD
- 3A. TheateD
- 6R. LaviaM
- 9R. LukakuF
- 11L. OpendaF
- 12M. VandevoordtG
- 13J. De BusserG
- 14D. LukebakioF
- 16M. KeitaM
- 18J. SeysD
- 20H. VanakenM
- 22M. Fernandez-PardoF
Italy
| Player | Pos | Min | Rating | G | A | Shots | SoT | Key Passes | Dribbles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G. Donnarumma | G | 90 | 7.8 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| N. Cambiaghi | F | 80 | 7.2 | — | — | 1 | 1 | 4 | 1/1 |
| N. Barella | M | 80 | 7.0 | — | — | 1 | — | 2 | 2/3 |
| D. Coppola | D | 65 | 6.8 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| R. Calafiori | D | 90 | 6.7 | — | — | 2 | — | 3 | — |
| F. Esposito | F | 65 | 6.6 | — | — | 3 | 2 | 1 | — |
| G. Di Lorenzo | D | 90 | 6.5 | — | — | 1 | — | 1 | — |
| M. Kean | F | 90 | 6.4 | — | — | 5 | 2 | — | 2/3 |
| G. Scalvini | D | 25 | 6.4 | — | — | 1 | — | — | 1/1 |
| D. Maldini | F | 25 | 6.3 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 0/1 |
| S. Tonali | M | 90 | 6.3 | — | — | 2 | — | — | — |
| D. Frattesi | M | 25 | 6.2 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — |
| I. Doumbia | M | 10 | 6.1 | — | — | — | — | 1 | — |
| G. Mancini | D | 90 | 6.0 | — | — | 2 | 1 | 2 | — |
| M. Carnesecchi | G | 0 | 0.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| R. Mandragora | M | 0 | 0.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| G. Vicario | G | 0 | 0.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| M. Kayode | D | 0 | 0.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| H. Ahanor | D | 0 | 0.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| G. Raspadori | F | 0 | 0.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| G. Scamacca | F | 0 | 0.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Belgium
| Player | Pos | Min | Rating | G | A | Shots | SoT | Key Passes | Dribbles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M. Godts | M | 83 | 8.2 | 1 | — | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2/4 |
| S. Lammens | G | 90 | 7.8 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| K. De Bruyne | M | 58 | 7.7 | — | 1 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 1/1 |
| C. De Ketelaere | F | 84 | 7.7 | — | 1 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 2/4 |
| D. Lukebakio | F | 32 | 7.6 | 1 | — | 1 | 1 | — | — |
| M. De Cuyper | D | 90 | 7.5 | — | — | 1 | — | 2 | 1/3 |
| N. Ngoy | D | 90 | 7.5 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — |
| B. Mechele | D | 90 | 7.4 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| T. Castagne | D | 90 | 7.4 | — | — | 1 | — | 2 | — |
| H. Vanaken | M | 32 | 6.9 | — | — | — | — | — | 1/1 |
| Diego Moreira | M | 58 | 6.9 | — | — | 2 | — | — | 0/1 |
| N. Raskin | M | 74 | 6.7 | — | — | 2 | 1 | — | — |
| R. Lavia | M | 16 | 6.6 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Y. Tielemans | M | 90 | 6.5 | — | — | 2 | — | — | — |
| R. Lukaku | F | 6 | 6.4 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| M. Fernandez-Pardo | F | 7 | 6.3 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| J. Seys | D | 0 | 0.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| M. Keita | M | 0 | 0.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Z. Debast | D | 0 | 0.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| A. Theate | D | 0 | 0.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| J. De Busser | G | 0 | 0.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| M. Vandevoordt | G | 0 | 0.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| L. Openda | F | 0 | 0.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Prediction Q&A
- Who did Fipster predict to win Italy vs Belgium?
- Fipster's AI model predicted Italy to win against Belgium.
- What score did Fipster predict for Italy vs Belgium?
- Fipster predicted a final score of Italy 2–1 Belgium.
- What were the win probabilities for Italy vs Belgium?
- Fipster's model gave Italy a 40% chance of winning, Belgium a 30% chance, and a 30% chance of a draw.
- How confident was Fipster in this prediction?
- Fipster's model assigned this prediction 40% confidence — a low-confidence call.


