Maxim De Cuyper and Leandro Trossard were on target as 10-man Italy surrendered a two-goal lead in a 2-2 draw with Belgium.
Italy were aiming to make it three out of three in the competition and first-half strikes from Andrea Cambiaso and Mateo Retegui put them on course for another victory in the Nations League.
It was all too easy for the hosts until Lorenzo Pellegrini was given his marching orders on his home ground in Rome and Maxim De Cuyper cut the deficit in half from the resulting free-kick.
Belgium piled on the pressure in the second period and it finally told when Trossard equalised and Italy held on to remain unbeaten from their first three matches in Group A2.
Italy were quick out of the blocks and went ahead within a minute as Federico Di Marco worked his way into the box and fed the onrushing Cambiaso who stabbed home.
Belgium’s first real chance came in the 20th minute as Manchester City’s Jeremy Doku danced his way into the box but saw his effort from outside the box deflect behind for a corner.
Italy carved Belgium open with a wonderfully worked team goal to double their advantage.
Federico Di Marco was the catalyst as his fine pass played in Cambiaso but his effort was parried by Koen Casteels into the path of Retegui who tucked home from close range.
Italy were dominating the game but the dynamics changed when the home side were reduced to 10 men when Pellegrini was sent off following a VAR check for a late challenge on Arthur Theate.
From the resulting free-kick, Belgium halved the deficit as De Cuyper curled a shot into the bottom corner.
Belgium were on level terms on the hour mark.
The Red Devils were a constant threat from set pieces and Wout Faes odded down into the path of Trossard who poked home from close range.
Belgium grew in confidence and went in search of a winner with Doku linking up with De Cuyper to feed Lois Openda, but he could only nudge wide.
It was all hands to the pump for Italy in the dying stages following a succession of corners but they hung on the take a share of the spoils.
