Italy confirmed a place in the semifinals of the 2020 European Cup after winning 2-1 over Belgium at the Allianz Arena Stadium, Saturday (3/7) midnight IST. Italy took the lead through goals from Nicolo Barella in the 31st minute and Lorenzo Insigne (44). Belgium thinned the score through Romelu Lukaku's penalty execution (45+2).
In the semifinal match at Wembley Stadium, Wednesday (7/7) midnight, Italy will challenge Spain, who eliminated Switzerland in the quarter-final match. This match is a repeat of the 2012 European Cup final. At that time Spain won 4-0 over Italy in the duel in Kyiv, Ukraine.
The game is running
Belgium and Italy tried to control the game early in the duel. Italy, which first took the initiative to attack had the lead in the 13th minute.
Through a kick scheme, Leonardo Bonucci can send the ball into the goal. However, after VAR monitoring, referee Slavko Vinci ruled the goal was invalid due to offside.
Belgium tried to increase the pressure. Under the command of Kevin De Bruyne, Belgium tried to damage the Italian defense.
Belgian pressure to bear fruit opportunities in the 22nd minute. Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma had to make an important save when he parried De Bruyne's powerful shot from outside the penalty box. Four minutes later, it was Romelu Lukaku's turn to be pushed away by Donnarumma.
Italy tries to respond to the Belgian attack. Federico Chiesa and Lorenzo Insigne could pose a threat but have not endangered Thibaut Courtois' goal.
Italy finally broke the deadlock when the game was running for 31 minutes. Marco Verratti, who managed to win the ball in the Belgian defense area, handed the ball to Nicolo Barella.
Despite being surrounded by Belgian players, Barella managed to dodge and fired a shot towards the far post that Courtois could not reach. Italy leads 1-0.
Italy tried to keep the rhythm and close the space for the opposing players. In the 41st minute, Federico Chiesa opened fire from outside the penalty box but deviated from the target.
In the 44th minute, Italy doubled its lead through Lorenzo Insigne. Insigne penetrated and fired a shot aimed at the left corner of the goal that Courtois could not reach.
However, at the end of the first half, Belgium received a penalty after Jeremy Doku was violated by Giovanni Di Lorenzo. Lukaku successfully did his job and Belgium managed to reduce the score to 1-2.
The second half started at a fast tempo. Italy, who was in a superior position, was more in control of the game and looked hungry for a third goal.
Five minutes into the second half, Belgium began to balance Italy's possession. Even so, Lukaku and his friends still cannot present a threat to the Italian defense.
The game went on for 55 minutes, Italy increasingly dominated the game and the ball was circulating more and more in the Belgian area. While Belgium is still trying to get out of its own area.
Although many Italians pressed a lot, it was Belgium who almost scored in the 60th minute. Through a counter-attack, De Bruyne released a low cross from the left which was met by Lukaku at the far post. However, Lukaku's touch from close range could still be blocked by Leonardo Spinazzola.
The intensity of the game increases. Italy, which had the upper hand, tried to widen the gap, while Belgium tried to equalize every time they had the ball.
Belgium got another chance in the 71st minute. The cooperation of the two players who just entered Youri Tielemans and Nacer Chadli presented a threat in front of Donnarumma's goal. Unfortunately, the ball cannot be reached by Lukaku or Thorgan Hazard.
With 15 minutes of normal time remaining, Belgium stepped up the pressure. Roberto Martinez's troops were more active in chasing the ball down to the Italian defense.
In the last 10 minutes of the match, Italy defended deeper trying to reduce the Belgian attack. Disciplined five players are always there to protect Donnarumma.
Italy's strategy is running, Belgium, which has a lot of control over the game, has difficulty creating opportunities. Until the game was over, Italy was able to maintain a 2-1 advantage. Gli Azzurri also qualified for the semifinals to challenge Spain.
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