Italian footballers eliminated FIFA world leader Belgium in the European Championship quarterfinals after winning 2: 1 in Munich.
“Squadra Azzura” decided already in the first half, when Nicolo Barella first prevailed in the 31st minute and Lorenzo Insigne raised soon after. The Belgians reduced Romelu Lukaku’s penalty in the introductory part thanks to the changed penalty, but after the break they did not see a settlement. Italy will face Spain in the semifinals on July 6 in London.
“I don’t think we’re lagging behind in any part of the match. To beat a team like Belgium, everyone on your team has to do their best and we did it. We scored two goals and could have added more. I think we got the victory to the fullest. deserved, “said Italian coach Roberto Mancini on the UEFA website.
His charges have not lost the 32nd game in a row on the international stage, thus improving their own maximum and defeating the Belgians in the fourth of the last five mutual duels. At the European Championship, including qualifying, they won the 15th game in a row and set a new record. For the first time in nine years, they advanced to the top four EC teams. On the contrary, the “Red Devils” finished the series of 13 duels without defeat and ends at the European Championships for the second time in a row in the quarterfinals.
“It’s a hard hit, but we knew it was going to be a tough match. We had two chances, but their goalkeeper always performed a great intervention. I think we gave them the first goal relatively easily. If it weren’t for that, the match could have turned out differently. However, Italy deserved the victory, “admitted Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
The Belgians boarded without the injured Eden Hazard, but returned to the De Bruyne team. Manchester City’s midfielder found Lukakua in the first minute, but the goalkeeper Donnarumma struck against him. The Italians got into the first serious chance in the 13th minute and immediately managed to transport the ball into the net. However, Bonucci’s goal after Insignee’s standard situation was not recognized due to Chiellini’s previous run, which was offside.
The “Red Devils” continued to threaten after quick transitions to the attack, but both De Bruyne and later Lukaku were captured by Donnarumma with prompt interventions. In addition, the Belgians were not strong enough in defense and after half an hour of play, the opponent punished them with a valid goal. A bad pass at the border of the penalty area was caught by Verratti, he immediately moved the ball to Barella and he didn’t give the goalkeeper a chance to Courtois.
One minute before the end of the regular playing time of the first half, it was even worse for the Belgians. After a successful individual action, the running Insigne ran into an ideal firing position and increased it with a technical shot. It was already the 90th Italian goal scored under coach Mancini. “Whether it’s a match or training, I always try to shoot. I’m happy that the ball got in there. It was a great goal,” said Insigne.
“Squadra Azzura”, however, did not keep the promising blockbuster until the break. The Belgians rushed to the attack immediately after the start and after the Di Lorenzo foul on Doku, the referee ordered a penalty kick. Lukaku approached him and scored the 64th goal in the national team. At the same time, he prevailed against Donnarumm in the fifth match.
However, the active Italians managed to break the opponent’s pass in the second half in the second half and the Belgians could not get under any significant pressure. Only after an hour of play did Doku escape to a quick break and after a subsequent pass by De Bruyne, he was alone in front of the uncovered goal of Lukak, but in a great chance he only hit the catching-up Spinazzol. The Italian defender may have shone a moment later even after the attack on the other side, but Courtoise did not hit the goal.
The “Red Devils” started to increase the pressure, but Lukak didn’t jump to Chadli’s center and Thorgen Hazard didn’t direct the ball into the net with his heel. In addition, Chadli’s substitute was injured during the offensive effort and had to leave the field again after five minutes. The Italian Spinazzola did not finish the match due to injury.
In the fragmented conclusion, the Belgians tried to make a smaller attack, but did not score the coveted equalizer. Donnarumma did not get more than one goal in the 31st match in the national team. “We know that Spain awaits us in the next phase, but the higher you go, the more difficult you will face. But for today we want to enjoy our victory and performance,” added Mancini.
Quarterfinals (Munich):
Belgium – Italy 1: 2 (1: 2)
Goals: 45. + 2 Lukaku with pen. – 31. Barella, 44. Insigne. Judges: Vinčič – Klančnik, Kovačič (all Slovenian) – Dankert (video, German). ZK: Tielemans – Verratti, Berardi. Attendance: 12,984 (limited number).
Belgium: Courtois – Alderweireld, Vermaelen, Vertonghen – Meunier (69. Chadli, 74. Praet), Witsel, Tielemans (69. Mertens), T. Hazard, – De Bruyne, Lukaku, Doku. Trener: Martinez.
Italy: Donnarumma – Di Lorenzo, Bonucci, Chiellini, Spinazzola (79. Emerson) – Barella, Jorginho, Verratti (74. Cristante) – Church (90. + 1 Toloi), Immobile (74. Belotti), Insigne (79. Berardi). Trenér: Mancini.
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