No. 1 Ranked-Belgium Sent Packing By Italy
03 July, 2021
Italy knocked Belgium out of EURO 2020 with a 2-1 victory in the quarter-finals on Friday evening at the Allianz Arena.
Kevin de Bruyne was back in the side after suffering an injury in the win over Portugal, while Italy coach Roberto Mancini handed a start to Federico Chiesa.
The Italians had the ball in the back of the net when Leonard Bonucci poked home from close range on 13 minutes, but the goal was ruled out for an offside on Chiellini in the build-up.
The Belgians upped the tempo thereafter as De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku were both superbly denied by Gianluigi Donnarumma at the midway point of the half.
However, Italy eventually got their reward on 30 minutes when Belgium's failure to clear allowed Nicolo Barella to create space before firing into the far corner.
The lead was doubled on 44 minutes when Lorenzo Insigne was given time and space to curl a sublime effort into the top corner from around 20-yards out.
Belgium were given a lifeline on the stroke of halftime after Jeremy Doku won a penalty after being brought down in the box, which allowed Lukaku to convert and reduce the deficit.
The Red Devils should have levelled matters on the hour mark when De Bruyne picked out Lukaku out the far post, but the striker's cuffed effort was denied by Leonardo Spinazzola at the far post.
Doku, who was Belgium's liveliest player, went close to pulling his side level on 83 minutes after skipping past three challenges but his powerful effort sailed inches over the crossbar.
In the end, the Azzurri were able to see off the threat from Belgium to book a spot in the semi-finals.
Source: www.soccerladuma.co.za