Mark van Bommel’s Belgium side beat Roberto Mancini’s Italy in their Nations League opener in Rome on Friday.
Van Bommel, a former Netherlands midfielder, was managing the Red Devils for the very first time, whereas Mancini was beginning his second stint in charge of the Azzurri.
Paris St-Germain’s Mika Godts netted his first goal for Belgium, weaving past two defenders inside the box before slotting the ball home.
Then Benfica’s Dodi Lukebakio surged from his own half and fired in their second goal from 25 yards out.
Late in the game, Mancini sent on Sporting’s Issa Doumbia and Nuremberg’s Mohamed Ali Zoma, handing both their international debuts.
As recently as 2023-24, the two were teammates at Serie C club AlbinoLeffe.
