Italy Secures Top Spot Ahead of Nations League Clash with Belgium
Italy has one final group stage match in the UEFA Nations League after a convincing 3-1 win against France at San Siro on Thursday evening. The team currently leads their group with 10 points, ahead of France on goal difference. Belgium trails closely with nine points, while Turkey remains at zero after five matches.
MILAN – NOVEMBER 12: Pio Esposito celebrates scoring his team’s third goal with teammates during the UEFA Nations League 2026/27 group phase match between Italy and France at San Siro Stadium on November 12, 2026 in Milan. (Photo by Mattia Ozbot/Getty Images)
Italy now requires only a draw against Belgium in Brussels on Sunday to secure a place in the Nations League quarter-finals. A draw could also keep them in first place, contingent upon Turkey’s performance versus France. A victory would ensure Italy’s status as group leaders.
Referees Appointed for Belgium vs. Italy
Norwegian referee Espen Eskas has been appointed to officiate Italy’s crucial match against Belgium, as confirmed recently. Eskas will be accompanied by his countrymen, assistant referees Jan Erik Engan and Alf Olav Rossland, with Sigur Kringstad serving as the fourth official.
The Video Assistant Referee (VAR) for this match will be German official Christian Dingert, supported by Norwegian Kristoffer Hagenes.
Interestingly, Eskas has experience officiating a previous encounter between Italy and Belgium, which ended in a 2-2 draw at the Stadio Olimpico in October 2024 during the Nations League group stage under coach Luciano Spalletti.
ROME – OCTOBER 10: Espen Eskas, referee of the match shows a red card to Lorenzo Pellegrini during the UEFA Nations League 2024/25 League A Group A2 match against Belgium at Stadio Olimpico on October 10, 2024 in Rome. (Photo by Emmanuele Ciancaglini/Getty Images)
During that previous encounter, Italy initially led by two goals through Andrea Cambiaso and Mateo Retegui, but saw their advantage slip away as Belgium equalized following Lorenzo Pellegrini’s red card due to a VAR intervention.
