Italy managed to qualify for the semifinals of Euro 2020 (Euro 2021) after beating Belgium with a score of 2-1, Saturday (3/7).
Italy has managed to lead 2-1 in the first half. Gli Azzurri scored two goals earlier through Nicolo Barella in the 31st minute and Lorenzo Insigne in the 44th minute.
Barella scored after Jan Vertonghen’s error was well capitalized by Marco Verratti who had snatched the ball. Verratti passed to Barella who managed to find space and beat Thibaut Courtois.
Insigne added to Italy’s advantage through individual action which ended with a shot directed into the left corner of the Belgian goal.
In injury time, Belgium scored a goal back through Romelu Lukaku’s penalty. The penalty was awarded after Giovanni Di Lorenzo violated Jeremy Doku in the forbidden box.
In a position behind by one goal, Belgium tried to continue to press Italy in the second half. Verratti and his friends continued to serve Belgium with an open game and not only focused on defending.
Belgium had a good chance to equalize when Doku’s partnership with Kevin De Bruyne gave Romelu Lukaku a chance to finish the attack in front of goal.
But Lukaku’s shot into the open goal was blocked by Leonardo Spinazzola. Lukaku also lost balance so he was unable to take advantage of the wild ball that rolled after.
Belgium tried to increase the attack by entering Dries Mertens and Nacer Chadli. Shortly after the change, Belgium again had a golden opportunity. Luckily for Italy, the ball was still out of reach of Lukaku who had jumped and Thorgan Hazard was moving too fast.
Chadli, who had just entered, was injured, so he was immediately replaced by Dennis Praet.
Italy also made changes to include Bryan Cristante and Andrea Belotti in the 74th minute to replace Verratti and Immobile. In the 78th minute, Spinazzola suffered an injury and had to be withdrawn to be replaced by Emerson. Domenico Berardi also came on to replace Insigne.
In the 84th minute, Doku penetrated and fired hard but his direction still bounced over Donnarumma’s goal.
Italy desperately maintained the score 2-1 until the game ended and ensured the semifinal ticket in hand.
Lineup
Belgium (3-4-2-1)
Thibaut Courtois; Toby Alderweireld, Thomas Vermaelen, Jan Vertonghen; Thomas Meunier (Nacer Chadli 69) (Dennis praet 74), Youri Tielemans (Dries Mertens 69), Axel Witsel, Thorgan Hazard; Kevin De Bruyne, Jeremy Doku; Romelu Lukaku
Italy (4-3-3)
Gianluigi Donnarumma; Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Leonardo Bonucci, Giorgio Chiellini, Leonardo Spinazzola (Emerson 79); Nicolo Barella, Jorginho, Marco Verratti (Bryan Cristante 74); Federico Chiesa, Ciro Immobile (Andrea Belotti 74), Lorenzo Insigne (Domenico Berardi 79)
