Add to Preferred Sources Senne Lammens and Youri Tielemans both started in Belgium’s 2-0 win over Italy in their UEFA Nations League opener.
The UEFA Nations League kicked off this week, with several Manchester United players representing their countries over a three-week period during an extended international break. Bruno Fernandes featured in Portugal’s win against Wales in Lisbon on Thursday night.
More United players were in action tonight as Youri Tielemans captained Belgium in a 2-0 win over Roberto Mancini’s Italy side. Meanwhile, Senne Lammens kept a clean sheet.
The Belgians took advantage of Italy’s sloppy defending in the first half, as Mika Godts opened the scoring in the 20th minute. Although Italy improved in the second half, there was no way back against Belgium, who doubled their lead with over 20 minutes left on the clock. Tielemans played the entire match in midfield for the victorious visitors.
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Getty Images Senne Lammens and Youri Tielemans’ performances against Italy
Everyone in the Belgium camp will have smiles on their faces following a 2-0 win over Italy, with goals courtesy of Godts and Dodi Lukebakio.
Tielemans started the game in midfield alongside Kevin de Bruyne and Nicolas Raskin. However, the 29-year-old wasn’t the only United player in Belgium’s starting line-up as Lammens started in Thibaut Courtois’ absence.
Both players gave a good account of themselves on the pitch, with Tielemans helping Belgium take control of the match and deal with Italy’s pressure after the break. He touched the ball 45 times, with an 81% pass accuracy (26/32) and made a total of five defensive contributions.
At the other end of the pitch, Lammens was kept busy by the Italians. He made six saves to protect his clean sheet and touched the ball 51 times.
Belgium play two more UEFA Nations League matches next week. Monday night sees them take on France before a clash against Turkiye on the following Friday.
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