Nations League: Belgium smoke England as Italy eye finals

 

England suffered a 2-0 defeat to Belgium on Sunday to ensure they cannot reach the Nations League finals next year.

First-half goals from Youri Tielemans and Dries Mertens for the world’s No 1 ranked side in Leuven kept Belgium on top of Group A2, five points clear of third-placed England, with one game to play.

Southgate’s men reached the semifinals of the inaugural Nations League, but have now suffered back-to-back competitive defeats for the first time since September 2018.

England dominated for long spells after conceding twice in the opening 24 minutes, but failed to make it count with more questions asked of Southgate’s switch from a 4-3-3 formation that saw the Three Lions score 37 goals in eight games in qualifying for Euro 2020, to a 5-2-3 that has reaped just three goals in five Nations League games.

Denmark’s late winner over Iceland means Belgium still need a point when they host the Danes on Wednesday to secure their place in the Nations League semifinals in October 2021.

Elsewhere, Italy overcame the absence of around 20 players plus coach Roberto Mancini due to injury or Covid-19 related issues to beat lacklustre Poland 2-0 on Sunday and go top of their Nations League group.

Jorginho put Italy in front with a 27th-minute penalty and substitute Domenico Berardi, playing at home ground of his club Sassuolo, made the game safe in the 84th minute as the hosts extended their unbeaten run to 21 games.

Italy dominated the game while a disappointing Poland, who gave forward Robert Lewandowski almost no service, had Jacek Goralski sent off for a second bookable offence in the 77th minute.

Italy lead Group A1 with nine points, one ahead of the Netherlands with Poland on seven and Bosnia two.