Euro 2020: Italy Knock Out Belgium, Secure Semi-final Spot Against Spain

Italy will meet Spain at the semi finals of the Euro 2020 after beating Belgium 2-1 at the Allianz Arena in Munich.

Given the opponents both Italy and Belgium defeated in the round of 16, the match was naturally predicted to go either way.

Roberto Mancini’s Italy beat Austria 2-1 to qualify for the quarter finals, while Belgium defeated Portugal 1-0 to scale through.

The Italians have not been defeated in the last 31 matches, while Belgium have scored at least a goal in their last 34 games before the duel.

With a disallowed goal from Italy’s Leonardo Bonucci in the 13th minute of the first half, Roberto Martínez Belgium knew they were up for a tough game.

Nicolo Barella found the back of the net to put Italy in front at the 33rd minute, while Lorenzo Insigne made it 2-0 in the 44th minute.

A penalty taken by Romelu Lukaku towards the last minute of the second half narrowed Italy’s lead.

Italy continued to be offensive in most of the first half which ended 2-1 in favour of Roberto Mancini’s men.

The first half was almost an all Italy show, but the Belgians were dangerous on the counter attack.

A counter powered by Belgium’s Kevin De Bruyne appeared to level the game in the 62nd minute, but Lukaku’s strike unfortunately ended in the woodwork.

Italy continued to dominate the game having created several missed chances. Some fell in the hands of Thibaut Courtois.

Belgium almost levelled the game, thanks to a second deadly counter which was crossed but slipped off Lukaku’s forehead just close to Gianluigi Donnarumma’s goal post.