UEFA Nations League: Ex-Hertha BSC star helps Belgium to win in Italy, Ukraine pip Hungary, Poland and Bosnia draw
| Photo: Marco Rosi/Getty Images. |
Making a dream start to their Nations League campaign, Belgium extracted a 2-0 victory over Italy at the Stadio Olympico this evening. Much to the home supporters frustration, Mika Godts and ex-Hertha BSC man Lukebakio struck either side of half-time.
Belgium started the stronger of the two in this clash of two heavyweights and eventually made inroads in the 20th-minute. Mika Godts was the coolest man in Rome, sitting down two Italian defenders and Gigi Donnarumma before rolling the ball into the far corner.
Italy's struggles continued well past the hour, with just a solitary attempt at goal compared to the Belgians' dozen. The Azzurri showed some spark before the interval, but Moise Kean couldn't steer home Nicolò Cambiaghi's delivery from the wing.
Senne Lammens stood between Italy and parity, who seemed eager to prove a point having been booed off by their fans before the break. However, against the run of play, the Red Devils doubled their lead when ex-Hertha BSC star Dodi Lukebakio sealed a 2-0 win.
Group 2 of Nations League B threw up an evenly matched clash of Hungary and Ukraine, in which the hosts fell behind just before the break. RB Leipzig's Willi Orban could do little to stop Danylo Sikan heading in just before half time on the end of a Georgiy Sudakov cross.
Hungary desperately tried to get back into the game as a frantic hunt for an equalizer ensued. Ultimately, Marco Rossi's side failed to get the better of Dmytro Riznyk, who produced the necessary to give Ukraine all three points in Budapest.
Finally, in Group 4 of Nations League B, Poland were held to a 0-0 stalemate by Bosnia Herzegovina. Schalke 04 defender Nikola Katic gave an inspiring performance at the back, winning the lion's share of his duels, while Ermedin Demirović had a quiet night.
The Bosnian VfB Stuttgart forward struggled to get into his flow up against Kasper Potulski of FSV Mainz 05. The young Polish centre-half, despite being just 18 years of age, showed maturity beyond his years to ensure a share of the spoils for both nations in the end.
Northern Ireland also kicked off their League B campaign with a 1-0 triumph over Georgia. Elsewhere, League C competitors Montenegro and Armenia ran out 2-1 and 2-0 winners over Cyprus and Latvia respectively.
