Belgium came from behind to earn a comprehensive 4-1 win over Italy and progress through to the quarterfinals of the Nations League.

Mark van Bommel's side displayed their attacking qualities and comfortably swept Italy aside as they were dumped out of the competition after finishing third.

Francesco Pio Esposito opened the scoring for Italy but Belgium responded in brilliant fashion and quickly got their equaliser through Maxim De Cuyper.

Belgium sensed blood and hit the front courtesy of Nathan Ngoy's first international goal before Jeremy Doku's brilliant individual finish gave them a two-goal lead at the break.

Belgium were keen not to let their foot off the throat of the Italians and they got their fourth through Diego Moreira, who also scored his first national team goal before Pio Esposito saw a late penalty saved.

Italy forced the first effort on target in the seventh minute when Niccolò Pisilli latched on to Riccardo Calafiori's cross but was unable to guide it past Senne Lammens.

And they hit the front four minutes later after Pio Esposito got on the end of Luca Koleosho's cross and this time there was nothing Lammens could do to stop Italy from scoring.

They were only behind for a matter of minutes before the home side equalised, a slick move finished at the feet of De Cuyper, who tucked home from close range.

Belgium turned the game on its head in the 21st minute as Doku's initial strike was parried into the danger zone by Gianluigi Donnarumma and Ngoy reacted quickest to get their second of the night.

Belgium had a two-goal cushion five minutes later as Doku received a pass from Kevin De Bruyne and showed neat footwork to fashion himself the opportunity before dispatching in the bottom left corner.

The Red Devils could have had a fourth but De Bruyne was denied by Donnarumma just six yards out.

The hosts continued to look for more goals after the break as well. Youri Tielemans set up De Bruyne who fired wide with his second big opportunity of the game.

The crossbar came to Italy's rescue shortly after when Charles De Ketelaere jumped highest to a cross but nodded off the upright before De Bruyne was once again frustrated by Donnarumma.

Italy had been let off the hook on a number of occasions but Belgium finally got their fourth with 10 minutes to go.

The Italians committed men up the field and Belgium broke through Doku and he sprayed a pass into De Bruyne who rolled it to Moreira, and he expertly tucked beyond Donnarumma to settle the contest.

Italy's night got worse after they were awarded a late penalty, with Pio Esposito unable to convert from 12 yards.