Italy lost 3-1 in Belgium on Friday in their first match after their unbeaten Euro 2016 qualifying campaign, and after a poor start at Stadio Renato Dall'Ara they found themselves behind after only eight minutes.

Gabriel Torje had already tested Gianluigi Buffon from distance in an open start to the match before Stancu seized on hesitation between Matteo Darmian and Andrea Barzagli in the Italian defence to calmly slot past the veteran goalkeeper for the opener.

Bogdan Stancu #19 of Romania celebrates after scoring his opening goal during the international friendly match between Italy and Romania at Stadio Renato Dall'Ara on November 17, 2015 © Getty Images

The shock early setback seemed to spark the hosts into life and Antonio Conte's side played with far greater urgency after falling behind, but it took until midway through the half for them to create their first chance, Graziano Pelle heading wide from Alessandro Florenzi's corner.

Florenzi was the creator again as the Azzurri came within inches of an opener minutes later, when the Roma man flashed an inviting ball across the penalty box and Eder could not make contact as he slid in from close range.

Stephan El Shaarawy was recalled by Conte for the match after missing out against Belgium and he should have capped a lively first-half performance with a goal when he was found unmarked by Eder's cross, but Ciprian Tatarusanu reacted quickly to smother the chance as the Monaco man could not react quickly enough with his back to goal.

The hosts continued to have all of the pressure as the half drew to a close, but after Claudio Marchisio fired narrowly over the bar from long range and they were denied a penalty when Eder tumbled under the challenge of Vlad Chiriches, they were still trailing as the whistle sounded.