Xtra Time Web Desk: An Italian side squad badly hit by the coronavirus still managed to pull off a 2-0 win against Poland in Nations League on Sunday. In another match England was beaten 2-0 by top-ranked Belgium. The Azzurri’s need another win at Bosnia-Herzegovina on Wednesday to see them hosting the four-team finals in October.
Roberto Mancini’s side has been badly hit by the coronavirus pandemic. Mancini himself is isolating at home with the dreaded virus along with striker Ciro Immobile. In all, more than 20 Italy players were unavailable due to the virus and injury.
Jorginho converted a penalty for Italy midway through the first half after Andrea Belotti was brought down inside the area. Domenico Berardi added another goal late in the second half after collecting a pass from Lorenzo Insigne.
Italy leads Group 1 in League A with nine points. The Netherlands is next with eight points after beating Bosnia 3-1. Poland is still in contention with seven points, while Bosnia trails with two.
In another match Dries Mertens scored a superb free kick as Belgium ended England’s hopes of reaching the finals. Belgium took the lead 10 minutes in when Romelu Lukaku set up Youri Tielemans for a deflected shot. Mertens made it 2-0 in the 24th by expertly curling his kick over the English wall — which mostly failed to jump — after Kevin De Bruyne was fouled.
Belgium leads Group 2 in League A with 12 points. Denmark is next with 10 following a 2-1 win over Iceland. England has seven and Iceland none. Belgium needs only a draw at home with Denmark on Wednesday to reach the finals.