Italy resists Belgium and goes to the semi-finals!

Second quarter-final of the Euro with a shock at the top between Belgium, contender for final success, and Italy, which has advanced masked since the start of the competition. With Chiesa and Verratti from the kick-off rather than Berardi and Locatteli, the Squadra Azzurra presented themselves in full force against the Red Devils deprived of Eden Hazard. The Real winger was not even on the scoresheet, unlike a Kevin de Bruyne holder and integrated into the front duo Lukaku-Doku. Faced with this diminished and successful team against Portugal in the previous round, Italy attacked this match with confidence and even scored quickly, before the striker Bonucci was signaled in an offside position (14th). It was only a postponement because on a solo number in the area, Barella erased three opponents to score with a heavy cross strike (0-1, 31st). Italy also owed this opening scoring to Donnarumma, author of two exceptional saves against De Bruyne (23rd) and Lukaku (26th) a few moments earlier.

Roberto Mancini’s men even widened the gap just before the break. If Chiesa (41st) and Immobile (43rd) did not convert, Insigne wrapped his ball perfectly in the top corner of Courtois (0-2, 44th). Italy thought to return to the locker room with a break in advance but it was without counting on the speed and the dribbling of Doku, excellent this evening, and which pushed Di Lorenzo to the fault in the box. Lukaku was responsible for reducing the mark (1-2, 45th + 1), and offering himself a 4th personal goal in this Euro. The tension rose a notch, especially after this huge rescue of Spinazzola on his line in front of Lukaku (61st). The entries Mertens and Praet (the latter replaced Chadli, entered only a few minutes before but injured quickly) were good but were not enough, like this ball which trailed in the area (70th). Despite Doku’s last acceleration and De Bruyne’s final knockdown, Belgium never came back and left Italy to face Spain for a place in the final on July 6.

Relive the film of the meeting on our live.

The final table of Euro 2020.