Belgium Women U23 1-2 Italy Women U23: Italy Come From Behind in International Friendly

Italy Women U23 produced a composed second-half comeback to beat Belgium Women U23 2-1 in an international friendly on Thursday, 8 October 2026. Played under the lights at the Stade Le Canonnier in Mouscron, the match gave both youth sides a valuable test of tempo, tactical discipline and game management, with Italy’s late winner settling a contest that had been finely balanced for long spells.

Belgium began with energy and took the lead through a well-worked first-half move, but Italy responded after the break with sharper pressing and quicker ball circulation. The visitors equalised just after the hour mark and then found the decisive goal in the closing stages, securing a 2-1 result that will please their coaching staff and continue their strong run in U23 friendly fixtures.

Match Overview

Belgium Women U23 set up in a flexible 4-2-3-1, looking to use the pace of their wide players in transition. Italy Women U23 lined up in a 4-3-3, with a midfield trio instructed to press aggressively and dominate possession in the opponent’s half. The opening 20 minutes were played at a high tempo, with Belgium pressing from the front and Italy trying to play through the thirds.

The hosts looked dangerous whenever they attacked down the right, and their reward arrived in the 34th minute. After a quick turnover in midfield, the ball was worked into the channel and then cut back for Belgium’s No. 11 to finish low beyond the Italy goalkeeper. It was a goal that reflected Belgium’s direct and energetic start.

Italy grew into the game before half-time, however, and ended the first period with sustained possession. Their best chances came from set pieces and shots from the edge of the box, but Belgium’s goalkeeper made two solid saves to preserve the 1-0 lead at the interval.

Key Moments

• 34' — Belgium take the lead: A sharp transition ended with a low finish from the right side of the penalty area, putting the hosts 1-0 up.
• 45+2' — Italy go close: A curling free-kick forced a full-stretch save from the Belgium goalkeeper just before the break.
• 61' — Italy equalise: Sofia Conti collected the ball between the lines, played a quick one-two and slotted a composed finish into the bottom corner to make it 1-1.
• 84' — Italy score the winner: Substitute Martina Rossi arrived at the back post to convert a deep cross, completing the comeback and making it 2-1.
• 89' — Belgium late chance: Belgium pushed numbers forward and nearly found an equaliser, but a goal-line block denied them in the final minutes.

Tactical Story

The match turned on Italy’s second-half adjustments. In the first half, Belgium’s compact midfield and quick counter-attacks disrupted Italy’s rhythm. The hosts were happy to let Italy have the ball in deeper areas and then spring forward through the flanks, where their wingers caused problems with direct running.

After the break, Italy pushed their full-backs higher and narrowed the space between the lines. That allowed Sofia Conti and Alice Bianchi to receive closer to Belgium’s penalty area, and the equaliser came from exactly that kind of central combination. Belgium’s defensive line dropped deeper as the half wore on, and Italy’s substitutes added fresh legs in the final third.

Belgium still carried a threat on the break, but their best moments became more isolated. Italy’s midfield control and willingness to recycle possession wore the hosts down, and the winning goal came from the kind of wide overload Italy had been building throughout the second period. It was a mature away performance in a friendly setting, where managing momentum is often as important as the final score.

Standout Players

• Lore Jacobs (Belgium): The wide attacker was Belgium’s most direct outlet, scored the opening goal and consistently stretched Italy’s back line with her movement.
• Emma Vandenberghe (Belgium): The captain anchored the midfield with interceptions and calm distribution during Belgium’s strongest spells.
• Sofia Conti (Italy): The No. 10 grew into the match, scored the equaliser and repeatedly found pockets of space between Belgium’s midfield and defence.
• Alice Bianchi (Italy): Controlled the tempo from central midfield, completing a high volume of passes and helping Italy sustain pressure after half-time.
• Martina Rossi (Italy): The substitute made the decisive impact, timing her run perfectly to score the 84th-minute winner.

What the Result Means

There are no league standings or points at stake in an internatio