Lorenzo Pellegrini became the first Italy player sent off since Leonardo Bonucci, as VAR showed he went in studs up on Belgium defender Arthur Theate’s ankle.
The Azzurri seemed to be very comfortable when leading 2-0 at the Stadio Olimpico thanks to goals from Andrea Cambiaso and Mateo Retegui.
See how the game unfolds on the Liveblog.
However, the game changed at the 40th minute when Pellegrini went into a sliding tackle late on Theate in the final third.
At first the referee had only shown a yellow card, but following the VAR On-Field Review, the decision was changed to a straight red.
The challenge met the criteria for a dismissal because the studs caught Theate on the ankle and it went over the ball, so was considered to be dangerous and reckless.
Pellegrini follows in footsteps of Bonucci
Pellegrini became the first Italy player to be sent off since their 2-1 Nations League defeat to Spain on October 6, 2021.
There hadn’t been a straight red card for the Azzurri since Domenico Criscito in a friendly against the Netherlands on June 4, 2018.
This was the Roma midfielder’s 36th senior cap for the Nazionale, where he contributed six goals and two assists.
It means Italy must play the entire second half down to 10 men and Pellegrini will be suspended for Monday’s match against Israel.
This should be his last cap!
The only good outcome of this red card is we won’t see him in the next game!
slow and off the pace throughout the euro and yet he still picked him. Spalletti brought it on himself.
@Stu Cazz Agreed. Zaccagni would likely replace him. The news said that he said no to the call-up…?