Italy beat Belgium 2-1 to reach Euro 2020 semi-finals

The Italians are through to the final four of the European Championships after an excellent performance against Belgium in the quarter-final in Munich. First-half goals from Nicolo Barella and Lorenzo Insigne were enough to seal the victory for Italy despite a spirited fightback from Belgium after Romelu Lukaku’s penalty.

Unlike Italian teams of old that were built on their solid defence, Roberto Mancini’s Italy team are known for their intense pressure and high tempo and the Azzurri started the game on the front foot, swarming the Belgium players throughout the first half and pressing high up the pitch.

Despite their dominance and possession, the Belgian Red Devils were a threat on the counter-attack and Gianluigi Donnarumma was forced into making two excellent saves of Kevin de Bruyne – who was playing with a torn ankle ligament – and Romelu Lukaku to keep the scores level.

However, the pressure from Italy eventually paid off with Nicolo Barella forcing a mistake from Jan Vertonghen on the edge of the box before firing a lethal shot straight into the bottom corner in the 31^st minute.

Despite opening the scoring, the Italians continued to keep up the intensity and pressure and were rewarded with a second goal before the break. Lorenzo Insigne picked up the ball in the Italy half and drove at the Belgium defence before cutting inside and curling his strike straight into the top corner from 25-yards. 

Two-goal cushions have counted for very little so far in the knockout stages and seconds after Insigne scored for Italy, Belgium were gifted a lifeline on the stroke of halftime. Jeremy Doku was pushed down in the box by Giovani Di Lorenzo, handing Belgium a penalty which Romelu Lukaku coolly converted, halving the deficit for Roberto Martinez’s men.

Belgium continued to pile men forward in the second half in their search for the equaliser but were unable to break the stubborn Italian defence. Romelu Lukaku had an excellent chance to double his tally but was denied on the line by a superb block from left back Leonardo Spinazzola.

The enigmatic Jeremy Doku was the most impressive player for Belgium in the second half, taking on defenders and running at goal with his electric speed and trickery. Unfortunately for Belgium, this was a bridge too far for their ageing side as the experienced Italians comfortably closed out the game.

Following this excellent victory, Italy will have another stern test in the semi-final as they take on Luis Enrique’s Spain at Wembley.