Italy reached the Euro 2020 semifinals with a 2-1 win over Belgium
Italy reached the Euro 2020 semifinals with a 2-1 win over Belgium
Italy reached to the Euro 2020 semifinals with a 2-1 win over Belgium on Friday, with first-half goals from Nicolo Barella and Lorenzo Insigne settling a thrilling match against the world’s top-ranked team.
Barella scored after 31 minutes, and Lorenzo Insigne’s wonderful curling strike doubled their lead on the eve of halftime, before Romelu Lukaku equalised for Belgium in first-half stoppage time.
In a tense match, both teams had chances to score after the break, but Roberto Mancini’s side held on for a 13th consecutive win, extending their unbeaten streak to 32 games.
They will face Spain in the final at Wembley on Tuesday after Luis Enrique’s side defeated Switzerland 3-1 in a penalty shootout after their battling opponents clung to a 1-1 draw after extra time despite being reduced to 10 men.
After 13 minutes, Leonardo Bonucci bundled the ball into the net from a free kick, but his celebrations were cut short when it was chalked off for offside.
Gianluigi Donnarumma of Italy then produced a superb one-handed save to deny midfielder Kevin de Bruyne, who was fit enough to start after suffering an injury in Belgium’s previous game, before tipping a Lukaku effort wide.
After holding off two defenders in the box, Barella lashed a finish into the bottom corner to put the Azzurri ahead. It was Italy’s tenth goal of the tournament and their most in a European Championship.
Italy appeared to be closing out the half on a high note when Insigne’s outstanding curler doubled their lead, but Belgium cut the deficit three minutes later when Giovanni Di Lorenzo barged over Jeremy Doku in the box and Lukaku converted the penalty.
Leonardo Spinazzola’s goal-line clearance denied Lukaku an equaliser after the break, but the impressive Italy left-night back’s ended in tears when he was carried off on a stretcher with a muscular problem.
The lively Doku troubled the Azzurri defence all night, and he threatened a late equaliser when he cut in from the wing to lash a shot at goal, but it flew inches over the bar.
