Belgium comeback leaves Italy floundering

Runners-up at this summer's showpiece in Israel, Italy have it all to do to reach the final again after a home defeat in their opening Group 9 qualifier.

Italy looked confident in the opening 45 minutes and took a lead into the break thanks to Christian Battocchio but Belgium ran out deserved victors after second-half goals from Thorgan Hazard, Junior Malanda and Yannick Ferreira-Carrasco.

Luigi Di Biagio's hosts started strongly with Andrea Belotti firing just over and Leonardo Gatto going close but it was Battocchio who opened the scoring from Giovanni Di Lorenzo's assist.

However, within seven minutes of the second half starting, it was Johan Walem's men who were ahead. Ferreira-Carrasco's cross was converted by Hazard to restore parity before the AS Monaco FC midfielder claimed his second assist with a corner that Malanda drove in from the edge of the area.

Belgium spurned a clutch of chances to put the game to bed and Samuele Longo hammered over with the home side's best chance to level. Instead, Ferreira-Carrasco capped a stunning display with the clincher from Jordan Lukaku's pass.

The result sees Belgium top of the section with maximum points from their two games and they can strengthen their position with a home victory against Northern Ireland on Monday. Italy head to Cyprus the same day with ground to make up.