Belgium, the highest ranked side coming into the Euro 2016, dominated for long spells of the Group E clash against Italy at the Stade de Lyon but lacked the clinical finish in front of goal

Reports in the British media suggest Sunderland's players were unhappy with the outspoken Di Canio's methods, but the club chief executive Margaret Byrne said he was removed purely to improve the club's chances of staying up.

Di Canio became the first Premier League manager to lose his job this season.

Sunderland had taken an early lead through new signing Emanuele Giaccherini and Paolo Di Canio's side looked set to claim their first win of the season until Fonte met James Ward-Prowse's free-kick with a downward header that goalkeeper Keiren Westwood could not keep out.

Meanwhile, Di Canio says South Korea striker Ji Dong-Won should return to training soon despite missing Wednesday night's friendly against Danish side FC Midtjylland.

Sunderland manager Paolo Di Canio on Friday described it as "a killer pitch" while Spurs boss Andre Villas-Boas saw key defender Jan Vertonghen taken off on a stretcher on Wednesday after injuring his ankle playing there.

The firebrand Italian, who replaced Martin O'Neill towards the end of last season, kept the Black Cats in the Premier League but faced criticism for his no-nonsense handling of his players and his strict training regime.

Di Canio, whose side play Manchester City on Saturday in the final of the Hong Kong exhibition tournament, was also scathing about the dire state of the pitch. "It's obvious that I couldn't imagine this kind of weather," the famously feisty Italian said.

The 28-year-old has earned lavish praise from fellow a Italian and his current coach at Sunderland.

Di Canio, who took over Sunderland near the end of last season and kept them in the Premier League, has courted controversy with his hardline approach.