UEFA EURO 2020, Belgium vs Italy Highlights: Italy win 2-1, book semifinal spot against Spain
UEFA EURO 2020, Belgium vs Italy Highlights: Italy beat Belgium 2-1 in the Euro Cup quarterfinal in Munich on Friday night to book a semi spot against Spain. Barello scored the game’s first goal in the 32nd minute before Insigne doubled the lead with minutes left to Half-Time. Romelu Lukaku scored from a penalty at the stroke of Half Time.
Italy are undefeated in the tournament so far. They have set a new record for the longest run of victories in the competition, qualifying included.
Belgium: Courtois; Alderweireld, Vermaelen, Vertonghen; Meunier, Witsel, Tielemans, T Hazard; De Bruyne, Lukaku, Doku
Italy: Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Bonucci, Chiellini, Spinazzola; Barella, Jorginho, Verratti; Chiesa, Immobile, Insigne
Italy continues its winning run and this time, it has defeated the number-one ranked team in the world to qualify for the Euro 2020 semifinals where it will face Spain.
Despite no goals in the second half, the qualify of football did not take a dip as Belgium tried to get back into the match and Italy tried to solidify its one-goal lead.
In the end, Italy protected its one goal lead and defeated Belgium to further advance in the tournament.
Coach: Roberto Martinez11:25 p.m- BELGIUM AND ITALY LINEUPS STARTING XI!!
Belgium (3-4-2-1): Courtois; Alderweireld, Vermaelen, Vertonghen; Meunier, Tielemans, Witsel, T.Hazard; De Bruyne, Doku, Lukaku
Subs: Thomas Kaminski, Matz Sels, Dedryck Boyata, Yannick Carrasco, Dries Mertens, Jason Denayer, Leander Dendoncker, Nacer Chadli, Christian Benteke, Michy Batshuayi, Leandro Trossard, Dennis Praet
Italy (4-3-3): Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Bonucci, Chiellini, Spinazzola; Barella, Jorginho, Verratti; Chiesa, Insigne, Immobile
Subs: Salvatore Sirigu, Alex Meret, Manuel Locatelli, Andrea Belotti, Domenico Berardi, Matteo Pessina, Emerson, Francesco Acerbi, Bryan Cristante, Federico Bernardeschi, Alessandro Bastoni, Rafael Toloi
Coach: Roberto Mancini
11:00 p.m- Form guide of Belgium and Italy (Last five matches)
Belgium: W-W-W-W-W
Italy: W-W-W-W-W
10:45 p.m- Predicted XI, injury doubts and suspension scenarios: Belgium and Italy
Belgium: Courtois; Alderweireld, Vermaelen, Vertonghen; Meunier, Witsel, Tielemans, T. Hazard; De Bruyne, Lukaku, Carrasco
Out: Castagne
Doubtful: E. Hazard, De Bruyne
Misses next match if booked: Alderweireld, T. Hazard, Vermaelen
Italy: Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Bonucci, Chiellini, Spinazzola; Barella, Jorginho, Verratti; Chiesa, Immobile, Insigne
Misses next match if booked: Barella, Di Lorenzo, Pessina
Match Preview
Belgium’s leading scorer at the European Championship is no stranger to Italy’s veteran defenders.
They all play in Serie A.
Romelu Lukaku will likely be the main attacking threat when Belgium takes on Italy in Munich on Friday in the Euro 2020 quarterfinals. The Inter Milan forward has scored three goals in his team’s four victories so far
And with Kevin De Bruyne and Eden Hazard both doubtful for the game, Italy captain Giorgio Chiellini and teammate Leonardo Bonucci — both defenders at Juventus — will know just who to focus on.
“It’s a quarterfinal. It will be decided on small details,” Belgium midfielder Youri Tielemans said. “I think one phase can turn the game in our favour, or against us. We have to be concentrated from the first minute and finish strongly. It’s going to be very, very tough, very, very physical.”
Belgium, which is trying to win its first major tournament three years after a third-place finish at the World Cup, hasn’t lost in 13 games and is the top-ranked team in the world. The Italians haven’t been beaten in a national team record 31 matches, though they were taken to extra time by Austria in the round of 16.
“It’s a nice challenge to beat them after a run of 31 unbeaten games. I estimate the odds 50-50,” said Belgium midfielder Thorgan Hazard, Eden’s younger brother and the scorer of the only goal in the team's 1-0 victory over Portugal in the last round. “It’s an advantage that we didn’t have to play extra time.”
Both teams won all three of their group matches, and with France, Portugal, the Netherlands and Germany all eliminated from Euro 2020, the winner in Munich will certainly be among the favourites for the title.
“We must continue to believe in ourselves,” Italy midfielder Jorginho said. “The most serious mistake would be to think that we’ve already done something great.”
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