Jan Vertonghen's header has cancelled out an early opener from Antonio Candreva as Belgium and Italy find themselves level at 1-1 at half time in their international friendly fixture this evening.

Italy started the game at an electric pace and they found an instant lead when Graziano Pelle saw his shot saved by Simon Mignolet, only for the ball to break free into the path of Candreva, who made no mistake with the finish.

Candreva appeared lively in the opening gambit of the contest, and he might have found another for the Italians had he not fired straight at Mignolet and then drilled wide just minutes later.

The misses gave Belgium a lifeline, leaving the hosts to eventually respond and pull level through defender Vertonghen, who leapt highest to bullet a header home from Kevin De Bruyne's corner.

With little to separate the two sides after the opening goals, Italy's Alessandro Florenzi was the player closest to earning a lead, but he saw his long-range effort fly wide of the left post.