Graziano Pelle sealed a stunning start to Euro 2016 for Italy as the Azzurri condemned highly-fancied Belgium to a 2-0 defeat on Monday.
The Red Devils are the highest ranked side on show in France, but were punished by a ruthless Italian performance despite dominating for long spells of the Group E clash in Lyon.
Emanuele Giaccherini's strike just after the half hour put future Chelsea manager Antonio Conte's men in front before Southampton striker Pelle sealed the win with a thumping finish from Antonio Candreva's cross.
Belgium now face a crucial clash with Ireland on Saturday in Bordeaux if they are to avoid an embarrassing early exit.
A star-studded Belgian attack containing Eden Hazard, Kevin de Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku were frustrated throughout by Italy's 'BBC' defence of Andre Barzagli, Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini.
"The defence was fantastic, I think we have the best back line in the competition, they made the difference," said goalscorer Giaccherini
At the other end, the Belgians were exposed when Bonucci's long floated pass found Giaccherini in behind the Belgium defence to stroke his shot past the exposed Thibaut Courtois.
Belgium upped the intensity after the break and twice came close when Lukaku clipped the post before his replacement Divock Origi headed over when unmarked from close range.
But Italy continued to pose a threat on the counter-attack and sealed a massive three points when Pelle volleyed into an unguarded goal from Candreva's unselfish cross.
Pique to the rescue
Spain's quest to win an unprecedented third consecutive European championship got off to a winning start as Barcelona defender Gerard Pique overcame dogged Czech defence to seal a 1-0 win in Toulouse.
Pique, a target of abuse from Spain fans this season due to unflattering comments about Barca's rivals Real Madrid, was the unlikely hero as he powered home man-of-the-match Andres Iniesta's cross at the far post three minutes from time.
"It is very important to start well," said Pique.
"We played well, controlled the game, created chances, but the ball didn't want to go in. In the end I had the luck to score the goal."
Spain's build-up to the tournament was rocked by reports last week claiming goalkeeper David de Gea had been involved in a sex scandal.
But coach Vicente del Bosque kept faith in the Manchester United shot-stopper by handing him the gloves ahead of the legendary Iker Casillas.
De Gea's opposite number was much busier. Arsenal's Petr Cech kept the European champions at bay with fine saves to deny Alvaro Morata, Jordi Alba and David Silva.
Cech's resistence was finally broken in uncharacteristic fashion when Pique was on hand to turn home Iniesta's inch-perfect cross at the back post.
However, there was still time for De Gea to justify his inclusion as he parried Vladimir Darida's thunderous volley to safety.
Sweden fightback
Ireland and Sweden remain in the fight to make the last 16 after Ciaran Clark's own goal cancelled out Wes Hoolahan's brilliant finish for the Irish in Paris.
Hoolahan met Seamus Coleman's flighted ball with a controlled first-time strike three minutes into the second-half at the Stade de France to give Ireland a lead they fully deserved.
However, having been kept quiet for long spells by the Irish defence, Sweden captain Zlatan Ibrahimovic created the equaliser in the 71st minute when his cutback was turned into his own net by Aston Villa defender Clark.
"Of course the goal deflates you and there is disappointment in the dressing room, but I don't think the players should be downhearted with their performance," said Ireland manager Martin O'Neill
"I think they should be absolutely thrilled with the way we played."
By contrast, Sweden boss Erik Hamren admitted his side need to improve drastically if they are to reach the knockout stages.
"Even though we managed to come back and equalise, I am disappointed. We will need to play at 300 percent to get through," he said.
AFP
Tue Jun 14 2016
Italy's forward Pelle (L) vies with Belgium's midfielder Kevin De Bruyne (R) during the Euro 2016 group E football match between Belgium and Italy on June 13, 2016. AFP PHOTO / VINCENZO PINTO
Tokoh Wartawan Negara, Ahmad Rejal Arbee meninggal dunia
Ahmad Rejal, 84, merupakan bekas Ketua Pengarang Bernama dan bekas Pengarang Kumpulan Berita Harian.
97 peratus api berjaya dipadam di tapak pelupusan sampah Kayu Madang
Secara keseluruhan 97.25 peratus daripada 45.7 hektar kawasan yang terbakar meliputi tempat pembuangan tayar terpakai sudah dipadamkan.
16 kereta, tiga rumah rosak ditimpa pokok akibat hujan lebat di KL
Dalam semua kejadian berkenaan tiada mangsa dilaporkan cedera.
Tragedi Easter: 45 maut, bas terbabas, terbakar
Kesemua yang meninggal dunia itu dilaporkan dalam perjalanan menuju perhimpunan Easter.
Pengasas FTX, Sam Bankman-Fried dipenjara 25 tahun
Bankman dituduh mencuri AS$8 bilion daripada pelanggan dan pelabur syarikat pertukaran mata wang kripto FTX yang kini telah muflis.
Melaka sasar nilai pelaburan RM10 bilion, fokus 10 sektor
Kerajaan negeri berada di landasan terbaik dengan sasaran nilai pelaburan RM10 bilion, apabila meletakkan 10 sektor industri sebagai fokus utama pada tahun ini.
Sabah akan pelbagaikan sumber ekonomi - Ketua Menteri
Sabah tidak boleh hanya bergantung kepada dagangan sumber sedia ada terutama kelapa sawit, minyak dan gas dalam membangunkan ekonomi negeri.
Sarawak perkasa industri hiliran untuk hasilkan produk kayu bernilai tinggi
Kerajaan Sarawak akan terus memperkasakan industri hiliran seperti penghasilan biojisim bagi meningkatkan lagi pengeluaran produk kayu nilai tambah tinggi.
Duta, Pesuruhjaya Tinggi Malaysia perlu mahir pelaburan, perdagangan
Menteri Luar Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan mahu perwakilan ke luar negara iaitu Duta Besar dan Pesuruhjaya Tinggi Malaysia mahir dalam aspek perdagangan bagi membawa masuk pelaburan ke dalam negara.
Malaysia kekal komited usaha reformasi ekonomi, terima inovasi dan pembangunan mampan
Malaysia kekal komited dalam usaha mereformasi ekonomi dan pada masa sama, bersedia menerima inovasi serta pembangunan mampan, kata TPM Fadillah.
Euro 2024: England hilang khidmat Harry Maguire, Kyle Walker
Pada Sabtu, anak buah Gareth Southgate itu mengalami kekalahan pertama mereka dalam tempoh 15 bulan.
Mohamad Hasan hadir AEMM ke-24 dan EU IPMF ketiga di Brussels
Menteri Luar Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan akan menghadiri Mesyuarat Menteri-menteri Luar ASEAN-Kesatuan Eropah (AEMM) kali ke-24 di Brussels, Belgium.
Belgium ikrar sokong kes genosid difailkan Afrika Selatan terhadap Israel
Menteri itu berjanji akan meneruskan komitmen untuk memastikan penghantaran bantuan kemanusiaan ke Gaza dengan segera di semua peringkat.
Belgium tidak boleh berdiam diri lihat keganasan Israel di Gaza
Belgium harus ikut langkah Afrika Selatan mohon ICJ menyiasat jenayah genosid yang didakwa dilakukan oleh Israel di Gaza.
Wanita meninggal dunia dihempap pokok Krismas di pasar Belgium
Seorang wanita maut selepas pokok Krismas setinggi 20 meter tumbang menimpanya di pasar Krismas di Belgium pada Khamis.
Kelayakan Euro 2024: Aksi Belgium-Sweden ditangguh susulan dua orang ditembak mati di Brussels
Ia susulan kejadian tembakan pada petang Isnin, yang disifatkan pihak berkuasa sebagai keganasan.
Ugut bunuh perdana menteri, Belgium buru bekas tentera
Belgium melancarkan siasatan pada Jumaat selepas catatan media sosial seorang bekas anggota tentera mengancam untuk membunuh Perdana Menteri Alexander De Croo.
Belgium akan beri elaun kepada pekerja yang berbasikal ke tempat kerja
Bayaran elaun itu adalah sebahagian daripada perjanjian yang dibuat oleh firma sektor swasta dan kesatuan sekerja pada Januari.
Persahabatan Antarabangsa: De Bruyne pamer gemilang bantu Belgium atasi Jerman
De Bruyne mencetuskan dua jaringan yang disudahkan Yannik Carrasco dan Romelu Lukaku, masing-masing pada minit keenam dan kesembilan.
Kelayakan Euro 2024: Hatrik Lukaku kecewakan Sweden di Stockholm
The Red Devils menggantikan Roberto Martinez dengan Tedesco susulan tersingkir di peringkat kumpulan Piala Dunia.