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Kick‑off is set for the Stadio Olimpico in Rome at 19:45 UK time (20:45 CEST).
Italy share Group A with France and Vincenzo Montella’s Turkey.
Mancini returns to the Azzurri after his 2023 exit, and Belgium debut new boss Mark van Bommel.
The top two in each group advance to March 2027 quarter‑finals; the bottom two face relegation play‑offs.
Results also affect EURO 2028 qualifying, so every point counts.
Mancini’s second stint began with a 2‑0 home loss to Belgium, as just four Azzurri left a positive mark on a bleak night.
Click here for the full story.
It’s only the second time Italy have been beaten at home by a two‑goal margin without reply, the first being a 2‑0 loss to Croatia in August 2006.
Group A1
That leaves Italy at the bottom of the group on goal difference.
“We saw a good team in fits and starts. New coach, new gaps, two avoidable goals. We must focus on the positives,” Calafiori told RAI Sport.
“A lot of work lies ahead; we’ve just begun with a new coach, so we’ll see,” he added.
Tension flared after the final whistle, prompting yellows for Donnarumma and Lukaku.
“I didn’t see much, but these things happen on the pitch; we have to move on,” said a player.
The Stadio Olimpico crowd jeered Italy off the field, their patience clearly exhausted.
“It hurts; I felt the crowd’s passion. We must improve from the next match,” Calafiori concluded.
“Belgium were stronger in the first half. We took the initiative later and could have equalised, but a counter‑attack error cost us,” Mancini said.
“The first half fell short, Belgium were better. The second half improved; we had several chances before the second goal, but Belgium are a solid side,” he added.
“Losing pleases no one. When you lose, you get jeered,” a player remarked.
A scuffle broke out between Lukaku and Donnarumma after the final whistle, both receiving bookings.
It appeared Vanaken reacted to crowd noise and alerted the referee.
Mancini’s second era opened with a disastrous 2‑0 home defeat, as Mika Godts and Dodi Lukebakio made the Nations League a steep climb.
Click here for the full match report.
Maldini booked for a shirt‑tug.
Three minutes of added time were played.
Tonali played a short ball, crossed to Calafiori, whose finish from inside the area was off‑target.
Fernandez‑Pardo booked for a shirt‑tug; Italy earned a free kick.
Tonali’s long‑range effort deflected, leading to a corner.
From the corner, Scalvini struck the underside of the crossbar from a few yards; Calafiori impeded him.
Lukaku and Fernandez‑Pardo entered for Belgium, De Ketelaere and Godts left the field.
Kean was blocked off for a corner.
Maldini’s corner flicked on by Frattesi’s head, flashing across the goal line; Calafiori then shot just wide from 14 yards.
Barella and Cambiaghi were subbed off, Doumbia and Zoma made their debuts.
Romeo Lavia booked for Belgium.
Cambiaghi shone brightest for Italy, still pressing after the second goal – a rare spark in a dim night.
Donnarumma must stay alert to smother Godts’ dangerous roll across the goal from the left, more a cross than a shot.
Raskin off, Lavia on for Belgium.
A promising move saw Maldini blocked off for a corner, but his hand was first, giving Belgium a free kick.
As Italy surged for an equaliser, Lukebakio counter‑attacked from his own area, cut inside and curled a left‑foot strike into the far bottom corner; it rebounded in front of Donnarumma, adding to the pressure.
Maldini’s cross deflected, the ball was cleared, Kean couldn’t control the header, and Barella blasted it over from the edge of the area!
Tonali over‑hit the pass to Di Lorenzo, squandering the chance.