UEFA Nations League Round 5: Lukaku's Frustrating Return for Belgium, England’s Push for Promotion

The UEFA Nations League Group Stage’s penultimate round saw high-stakes matches for two European heavyweights: Belgium and England. Belgium welcomed back their star forward, Romelu Lukaku, only to face a depleted midfield, casting doubts on their ability to make a decisive impact against Italy. Meanwhile, England, stuck in League B, aimed to take back control of their promotion hopes with a crucial win over Greece. Both teams entered the round with challenges—Belgium with critical absences and England determined to avoid the embarrassment of remaining in the second tier of European football.

Belgium vs. Italy: Lukaku’s Return and the Struggle to Find Support

After missing Belgium’s first four Nations League matches, Romelu Lukaku returned to the lineup, but his impact was limited by a midfield hampered with injuries. Key players like Kevin De Bruyne and Eden Hazard, often essential for supplying Lukaku, were out, leaving Belgium’s offense without its usual creativity and firepower. Against an Italy team that historically holds an advantage over them, Belgium faced an uphill battle.

When Italy and Belgium last met, Italy saw a rare opportunity. For the first time in recent memory, Belgium’s three biggest threats—Lukaku, De Bruyne, and Hazard—were all absent. Italy capitalized on Belgium’s depleted lineup to exert pressure from the start. Within the first minute, Andrea Cambiasso made a powerful drive into Belgium’s penalty area, firing off two close-range shots that put Italy in the lead. His aggression set the tone for Italy’s dominance.

Twenty minutes into the game, Italy’s Mateo Retegui, having flourished since his transfer to Atalanta, scored with a close-angle finish. The match seemed one-sided, with the only remaining question being how many goals Italy would rack up. Italian fans lamented that if Retegui had reached his current form during the Euros, Italy might have avoided the disappointments that followed.

Yet, with a stroke of misfortune and questionable decision-making, Italy’s Lorenzo Pellegrini received a red card in the 40th minute for a reckless challenge. This foul gave Belgium a lifeline—a free kick opportunity from which their short-passing setup allowed defender Wout Faes to hit a stunning, left-footed curling shot that flew into the bottom-right corner of Gianluigi Donnarumma’s net. Donnarumma, partially blocked, could do little to stop the strike.

Had this been the Italy of a few years ago, even with a one-man disadvantage, they might have comfortably protected their lead against a weakened Belgium side. But times have changed. In the second half, Belgium exploited a corner kick opportunity to equalize, turning the game into a fierce battle for control. With thirty minutes left, Italian fans began to worry about the prospect of suffering their first Nations League defeat of the campaign.

Belgium also found themselves unable to break the deadlock further, despite Italy's numerical disadvantage, and both sides walked away with a single point. Italy continued their Nations League journey with a win against Israel in their next game, while Belgium fell to France, effectively ending their hopes of advancing. Now, back on their home turf, Belgium’s chances against Italy remained slim. Italy’s expected lineup might only need to deliver a fraction of their best performance, while Belgium faces the struggle of fielding a team that might be more akin to a “B” or even “C” squad.

Greece vs. England: Kane Leads the Charge for Promotion

England’s journey in the Nations League has been rocky, and staying in League B has dented their reputation. Although England traditionally hasn’t prioritized the Nations League, continuing to miss out on promotion to League A would damage their standing. When they last faced Greece, captain Harry Kane was absent, and England’s attacking prowess suffered. But with Kane back, their offensive strategy saw a renewed sense of control and creativity.

In their previous match against Finland, England’s attack flowed with Kane orchestrating plays. Midfielders like Curtis Jones and Declan Rice dominated possession, using crisp passes to dissect the Finnish defense. An 18th-minute through ball from Jones to Jack Grealish resulted in a clean one-on-one finish, showcasing England’s cohesion and offensive awareness. Kane, as a focal point, drew defenders away, giving his teammates space to capitalize on gaps in Finland’s backline.

With control firmly in their hands, England added two more goals in the second half to seal a comfortable victory, conceding only a consolation goal to Finland. This tactical flexibility, facilitated by Kane, gave England a sense of confidence heading into their match against Greece, where they aimed for nothing less than a win to regain control over their promotion chances.

Greece, meanwhile, came into the match with momentum, having recently defeated Ireland in a 2-0 display of tactical discipline. Defenders like Konstantinos Mavropanos and Pantelis Hatzidiakos coordinated their efforts to stifle Ireland’s attacks, limiting them to just nine shots, only two of which were on target. Greece’s ability to absorb pressure and execute counterattacks became their hallmark, making them a formidable opponent on home turf.

With Greece sitting three points ahead of England and boasting a three-goal advantage in goal differential, England found themselves needing to win by two goals or more to take control of their fate in the group. While Kane’s leadership brought optimism, the task remained daunting. Greece’s disciplined defense and knack for counter-attacking could expose England’s vulnerabilities if the Three Lions lost focus. However, with Kane on the pitch, England’s chances of maintaining offensive pressure were significantly bolstered.

Lukaku’s Limited Impact and England’s Quest for Redemption

Lukaku’s return was a symbol of hope for Belgium, but it underscored a deeper issue: even with a star striker, Belgium struggled without the service of its midfield core. As Lukaku pushed forward, Belgium’s depleted midfield could barely create opportunities, allowing Italy to dictate the game’s tempo, even with a one-man deficit. Lukaku’s frustration was palpable; without De Bruyne’s vision and Hazard’s dynamism, Belgium’s attack lacked the fluidity and potency needed to penetrate Italy’s disciplined defense.

England’s situation, while less dire, highlighted the importance of taking the Nations League seriously. Remaining in League B would represent an embarrassing status for a team with England’s history and aspirations. Kane’s return has reinvigorated England’s offense, and the Three Lions are motivated to secure promotion. Their control in midfield, coupled with Kane’s scoring threat, means that they have a fighting chance to achieve their goal, but it will require focus and precision against Greece’s solid backline.

For Belgium, the Nations League has become a lost cause, a frustrating scenario for Lukaku as he tries to regain his form with limited support. As they face Italy again, Belgium is essentially out of contention, likely fielding a lineup devoid of top-tier talent. The lack of resources in midfield and a possible lack of motivation among their players may result in a disappointing performance.

For England, the stakes are clearer. Kane’s leadership is a beacon of hope, and England’s midfield has shown signs of cohesion and creativity, giving them a good chance against Greece. A win here would not only keep their promotion dreams alive but would also help England reestablish themselves as a force to be reckoned with in Europe.

As both teams face these pivotal matches, the Nations League once again demonstrates the unpredictability and intensity of international football. While Belgium may be looking at a quiet exit, England stands on the edge of redemption. Their success depends on capitalizing on their strengths and playing with a sense of urgency—a lesson that Belgium has learned the hard way in this tournament.