ITALY have won a pulsating Euro 2020 clash against Belgium to set up a semi-final against Spain.
Nicolo Barella put the Italians in front before Lorenzo Insigne curled a stunning goal into the top corner.
However, Belgium were given hope with a controversial penalty from Romelu Lukaku.
But the Italians held out brilliantly in the second half to earn a trip to Wembley.
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ARRIVEDERCI
It’s one-on-one – or at least it is as far as Italy and Spain are concerned.
The two nations will face off in the first Euro 2020 semi-final at Wembley on Tuesday after the Azzurri knocked out the number one ranked side in the world, Belgium, earlier this evening.
Roberto Mancini’s men impressed yet again with their tireless tempo as they engineered a two-goal cushion, and then demonstrated their defensive nous and darks arts in seeing the game out once their lead was halved.
The Italians march on, but will have to do so without Leanardo Spinazzola, whose injury late on marred another otherwise triumphant night.
For Belgium, their Golden Generation depart at a quarter-final stage yet again, and perhaps for the last time. We will undoubtedly look back at this collection of players in years to come and wonder how they didn’t win anything.
We’re back tomorrow with the other two quarter-finals that includes the big one in Rome between England and Ukraine. Get some rest, you’re gonna need it.
Goodnight.
FORMIDABLE FIFTEEN
A place in the semi-finals of Euro 2020, thirty-one international games unbeaten, and now a new record for consecutive European Championship wins, it has been some turnaround for Italy under Roberto Mancini.
The Azzurri won all ten of their matches in qualifying for this tournament, and have followed it up with five straight successes at the finals.
DRIBBLING DOKU A BRIGHT LIGHT FOR BELGIUM
The number one ranked team in the world may be packing their bags to head home, but in the emergence of Jeremy Doku on the international stage, they have one reason to be hopeful for the future.
The 19-year-old Rennes star could be the first of Belgium’s new golden generation.
SPINAZZOLA INJURY SHOCKER
Sky Sports Italia are reporting that Leonardo Spinazzola has ruptured his Achilles tendon.
The left-back has been one of the stars of the European Championship, and had put in another superb shift this evening before pulling up in the 77th minute.
CIRO MOST MOBILE
Wonderful footage has emerged of Ciro Immobile’s antics during Italy’s opening goal this evening.
The striker falls to the ground in an attempt to win a penalty, and continues to roll around until he realises Nicolo Barella has just scorched one in.
And then, as if by magic…
FULL TIME STATS
Italy edge through to face Spain at Wembley despite coming under pressure from Belgium in the second half.
HAVE YOUR SAY
Roberto Mancini’s stylish Italy will face Luis Enrique’s free-scoring Spain at Wembley on Tuesday. Reckon you can predict the full-time score? You could win £250 cash if you get it right!
FT: BELGIUM 1-2 ITALY
Italy have followed up their explosive attacking from the first half with a robust defensive display in the second to reach the semi-finals of Euro 2020. Super goals from Nicolo Barello and and Lorenzo Insigne did the damage before their back four stood firm to Romelu Lukaku’s power, Jeremy Doku’s pace and Kevin De Bruyne’s craft. The Azzurri are now 31 international games unbeaten, and will be full of confidence when they face Spain at Wembley on Tuesday.
PEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP!
IT’S ALL OVER IN MUNICH!
BELGIUM 1-2 ITALY
90+7. Corner to Belgium.
Courtois comes up. This is it.
Across comes the delivery, Hazard gets a head on it…
….it drops the wrong side of the far post.
Donnarumma celebrates as he retrieves the ball. Chiellini punches the air.
BELGIUM 1-2 ITALY
90+4. It’s more stop than start at the moment as the referee’s whistle gets plenty of practice.
Belgium look out of ideas – and they’re almost out of time.
BELGIUM 1-2 ITALY
90+2. At the second attempt, De Bruyne’s curler is floated in the direction of Witsel, only to be punched away by Donnarumma, who had come steaming off his line.
The goalkeeper has indicated he’s injured, and is asking for treatment.
This is some classic 1990’s Serie A, Channel 4 game management from the Italians.
BELGIUM 1-2 ITALY
90. De Bruyne goes for the curling cross, only to smash the free-kick straight into Berrardi.
Surely the Italian wasn’t ten yards there? He wasn’t, and the free-kick will be retaken. It’s a booking for Berrardi.
BELGIUM 1-2 ITALY
89. De Bruyne makes amends by bursting forward, and beating Berrardi to a loose ball 30 yards from goal, and then teasing the Italian substitute into making a foul.
Free-kick in a promising position for Belgium.
BELGIUM 1-2 ITALY
88. Belgium go long for Lukaku, who does well to hold off the challenge on the edge of the box before De Bruyne, of all people, gives possession away.
BELGIUM 1-2 ITALY
86. Doku is Belgium’s threat now, and the ball almost seems to be glued to his feet.
Anyone making a challenge on the 19-year-old in the penalty area has to make sure it’s absolutely perfect, and that’s exactly what Jorginho does.
He dribbles calmly out of his area too.
BELGIUM 1-2 ITALY
84. Doku does it alone!
The teenager dances along the end of the Italian penalty area from the left and, although slightly off balance, manages to get a crisp strike away that soars a yard over the crossbar.
BELGIUM 1-2 ITALY
81. Inside the final ten plus minutes. What have Belgium got?
BELGIUM 1-2 ITALY
79. That injury really slowed things down, and the Belgium players were quickly across to ensure referee Slavko Vincic was taking accurate note of the time delay.
BELGIUM 1-2 ITALY
76. Oh no!
Leonard Spinazzola has been brilliant at these Euros, but the left-back’s match and – almost certainly – his tournament is over.
With no-one near him, he pulls up while sprinting down the touchline and immediately signals for a change.
At first, the defender deals with the injury with a certain stoicism, but soon hits the turf and covers his eyes to hide his emotions.
He eventually leaves on a stretcher and is replaced by Emerson.
BELGIUM 1-2 ITALY
75. De Bruyne and Lukaku have quarter of an hour to rescue this one, and the pair combine on the edge of the box for the latter to shoot.
Another excellent block, however, takes it through gently to Donnarumma.
BELGIUM 1-2 ITALY
74. Italy make a double change of their own with Bryan Cristante and Andrea Belotti on for Marco Veratti and Ciro Immobile.
HAVE YOUR SAY
It’s end to end stuff as we approach the final 15 minutes and Belgium are very much still in it, but will they be able to find an equaliser? Who are YOU backing to go through in this quarter final clash?
BELGIUM 1-2 ITALY
73. Yes, Nacer Chadli’s cameo is over. He limps off and is replaced by Dennis Praet.
BELGIUM 1-2 ITALY
72. A nightmare for Chadli. The substitute has gone down, and having only just come on, looks as though he will have to head straight back off.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
