Italy Tames Belgium, Reaches Euro 2020 Semi-Finals
Italy reached the Euro 2020 semi-finals after a thrilling 2-1 win against Belgium as first-half goals from Nicolo Barella and Lorenzo Insigne settled a gripping encounter against the number one-ranked team in the world.
Italy started strongly when Leonardo Bonucci bundled the ball into the net after 13 minutes from a free-kick, but his celebrations were cut short when it was ruled out for offside. Italy’s Gianluigi Donnarumma then produced a superb one-handed save to deny Kevin De Bruyne, before the goalkeeper tipped a Lukaku effort wide.
The Azzurri went in front when Nicolo Barella lashed a shot into the bottom corner of the net after holding off two defenders in the box.
It was Italy’s 10th goal of the tournament, its most at a European Championship.
Italy looked set to end the half on a high when Insigne’s outstanding curler from the edge of the area doubled the Azure’s advantage on the brink of halftime.
But Belgium cut the deficit three minutes later when Giovanni Di Lorenzo barged over Jeremy Doku in the box and the referee pointed to the spot for a penalty while the Italians protested.
The in-form Romelu Lukaku stepped up and fired the ball straight into the net.
After the break, Italy’s Leonardo Spinazzola performed a superb goal-line clearance to deny Lukaku an equaliser after the break, but the impressive Italy left-back’s night ended in tears when he was carried off on a stretcher.
The lively Doku caused problems for the Azzurri defence all night and threatened a late equaliser when he cut in from the wing to fire a shot at goal, but it flew over the bar. Neither side could find another goal and Roberto Mancini’s exciting Italy side held on for a 13th straight win, extending its record unbeaten run to 32 games.
“I don’t think we suffered too much at any moment of the game,” Italy coach Roberto Mancini said in an interview after the match. “
To beat a team like Belgium, you need a great performance from everybody and that’s exactly what happened today.”
It was another disappointment for a talented Belgium side lauded as the ‘golden generation‘, but who have failed to win any trophies or reach a final at a major tournament.
Italy will face Spain for a place in the final after setting another record by winning 15 consecutive games, including European Championship qualifiers and the finals.
Spain beat Switzerland 3-1 in a penalty shootout in the earlier kick-off after their battling opponents hung on to a 1-1 draw after extra time, despite going down to 10 men.
Euro 2020 results
Belgium 1-2 Italy
Spain 1-1 Switzerland (3-1 on Penalties)
Chidi Nwoke/Supersport.
