Mark van Bommel Begins Reign as Belgium Manager With 2-0 Victory Over Italy in Rome
Mark van Bommel secured a victory in his debut as manager of the Belgium national football team, directing the Red Devils to a win against Italy in Rome. Playing their first fixture since the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, the visitors established control through first-half tactical discipline before sealing the result after the break in this opening round of the UEFA Nations League. The visitors faced the Squadra Azzurra at Rome for their first encounter since the World Cup in the United States, marking a first opportunity for several new faces to show themselves, beginning with the new manager. The Dutchman prepared to pass a first real test at the head of the Red Devils against an Italy side that did not participate in the last World Cup, but remains one of the great nations of European football.
Van Bommel Opts for World Cup Core in Debut Lineup
Taking charge following the recent global tournament, van Bommel did not introduce radical changes to the squad structure. For his first selection, he fielded the same lineup that started against Spain in the quarter-finals of the 2026 World Cup, apart from absentees Thibaut Courtois, Jérémy Doku and Leandro Trossard, and the captain injured during the warm-up against the Spaniards, Youri Tielemans, who was replaced by Hans Vanaken. Stationed on the bench with notepad in hand, van Bommel implemented a straightforward tactical framework centered on aggressive pressing immediately upon losing possession and rapid vertical transitions. Van Bommel took an atypical start for himself, as for the first time he began with a victory, unlike his previous debuts at PSV, Wolfsburg or Antwerp where he started with a disappointing result.
Mika Godts and Dodi Lukebakio Secure the Goals in Rome
The breakthrough arrived in the 21st minute. Kevin De Bruyne delivered a precise pass down the left flank to Mika Godts, who maneuvered past two Italian defenders with quick body feints inside the penalty area before beating goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma with a calm right-footed finish to put Belgium ahead 1-0.
In the second half, a rapid counterattack extinguished Italian hopes of an equalizer. Following a high ball recovery, Charles De Ketelaere laid the ball off to Dodi Lukebakio in the 69th minute. The Benfica winger cut onto his left foot, eluded two markers, and unleashed a powerful long-range strike into the top corner past Donnarumma to make it 2-0. During the match, there were no defensive tests as the defense remained untouched, while Senne Lammens made a very big save.
Evaluating the Performance Against Historical Precedent
Speaking after the final whistle, van Bommel expressed satisfaction with the result while assessing the team’s overall control. You are happy at what percentage? At 100% for the victory. And the play was good, but I wouldn’t say 100%.
Despite the joy the 2-0 scoreline brought to the enclosure of 800 Belgians who experienced the match live, prudence was required by the staff.
Upcoming Fixture Against France at the Stade de France
Belgium returns to action on Monday for the second matchday of the UEFA Nations League group stage, hosting the French national team led by Zinedine Zidane. Meanwhile, the Italian squad travels away to face Turkey in their next fixture, and the return leg between the two nations is scheduled for November 15th.
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