Italy sprung a surprise in Group E by beating Belgium as Euro 2016’s highest-ranked nation fell to a 2-0 loss in Lyon.
Marc Wilmots’ side, who sit second in the FIFA rankings, had been considered by many as favourites to prevail in France, but they have work to do following Monday’s damaging defeat.
Emanuele Giaccherini opened the scoring with a superb two-touch finish following a stunning pass from Leonardo Bonucci.
Italy should have been two up before the break, but an unmarked Graziano Pelle contrived to send a close-range header wide.
Belgium – in their first appearance at the Euros since co-hosting the tournament in 2000 – spurned a glorious chance to make Antonio Conte’s men pay when Romelu Lukaku squandered a one-on-one opportunity in the 53rd minute, with Thibaut Courtois denying Pelle a couple of minutes later.
Wilmots sent on Dries Mertens and Divock Origi – the latter for a disappointing Lukaku – during a second half in which Belgium showed substantially more promise, only for Pelle to volley a second on the break deep into stoppage time.
Belgium now sit bottom of the group following Republic of Ireland’s 1-1 draw with Sweden.
