Italy down Belgium in Euro quarter-final

By News / Wire

Nicolo Barella and Lorenzo Insigne have scored a goal each to give Italy a 2-1 win over Belgium and a spot in the European Championship semi-finals.

Romelu Lukaku pulled one back from the penalty spot right before halftime but the Belgians missed further chances to equalise in the second half.

Barella put Italy in the lead in the 31st minute after eluding two Belgium defenders and sending the ball in off the far post.

Insigne got the second in the 44th when he put a curling shot inside the far top corner.

Italy will next play Spain in the semi-finals on Tuesday at Wembley Stadium in London.

The Spanish defeated Switzerland on penalties in St Petersburg earlier on Friday.

Belgium got the penalty when Giovanni Di Lorenzo pushed Jeremy Doku shortly before halftime.

Lukaku then made it 2-1 by sending his shot down the middle. It was only the second goal Italy has conceded at the tournament.

Kevin De Bruyne started the match for Belgium after recovering from a left ankle injury, but Eden Hazard remained out with his leg injury.

Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma made two good saves to deny De Bruyne and Lukaku early in the match.

The Crowd Says:

2021-07-04T00:30:00+00:00

Redondo

Roar Rookie


Italy: immobile one second, mobile the next. Some things never change: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7p1hJCPT1c&ab_channel=racecardriverrr

2021-07-03T03:53:45+00:00

Gerry

Roar Rookie


I think Italy might pull it off. They are determined since missing out on last World Cup. Love it to be England but we can’t trust them from past tournament results.

2021-07-03T02:41:06+00:00

chris

Guest


Great game with wonderful technical players on display. Italy v Spain will be very interesting as both teams like to keep the ball and dictate the tempo. Italy have more of a cutting edge and expect them to make the final.

2021-07-03T01:21:24+00:00

NoMates

Roar Rookie


Didn't expect that, Italy def making a statement

2021-07-02T22:59:24+00:00

Big Mig

Roar Rookie


Italy too good, and deserved to win. They are now the only team in the Euro's that have won all their games 5 out of 5.

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