European football champions Italy have won their first Nations League and have taken the lead in Group 3.
After the opening draw against Germany, the Squadra Azzurra beat the guest from Hungary 2-1 (2-0) in Cesena. Giacomo Raspadori (30′) got the deserved lead with a great right-footed shot, Lorenzo Pellegrini (45′) increased just before the half-time whistle. An own goal by Gianluca Mancini (61st) caused tension again.
The Hungarians, who had four Bundesliga players in the starting eleven in Willi Orban, Dominik Szoboszlai (both RB Leipzig), Roland Sallai (SC Freiburg) and Andras Schäfer (Union Berlin), were unable to do so after their opening win against England (1-0). put another exclamation mark.
Italy’s coach Roberto Mancini relied on youngsters up front in 18-year-old Wilfried Gnonto and 22-year-old Raspadori – and his team came into the game stormy.
But it wasn’t until the 21st minute before Hungary goalkeeper Denes Dibusz was seriously tested by central defender Mancini after a corner. At the other end, Italian keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma cleared a dangerous low shot from Sallai (26′) for a corner. After that, Raspadori and Pellegrini gave the Italian team a reassuring half-time lead.
After the break, the Italian team failed to increase early – a shot by Matteo Politano (55th) hit the crossbar. A little later, Mancini unluckily steered a Hungarian cross into his own goal from the right.