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Italy and Belgium
More than 12,000 people watched the thrilling contest on the edge of their seats. A game between Italy and Belgium resembled one that was being played in the championship game.
The Azzurri have perhaps been the most talented playing team in the Euro 2020 competition.
They scored two excellent goals on that particular day. They have played 32 games without losing and have picked up 13 straight victories.
Belgium was a letdown despite being considered the best squad in the world.
Despite finishing third at the 2018 World Cup, they were unable to advance to the Euro 2020 semifinals.
Despite having a team of excellent players, they haven’t been able to compete as a strong international football team for more than ten years.
Hopefully, Belgium will be able to recapture its former grandeur at the World Cup in Qatar in 2022, which is 18 months away.
Italy will play Spain in the semifinals
The Belgians were a tough opponent, but the Italians were the more agile squad that day.
Romelu Lukaku initially appeared to be going to start the game intimidating.
Leonardo Bonucci, of the Italy national team, demonstrated the contrary.
To his dismay, the VAR, however, rejected his score.
Giovanni Di Lorenzo’s touch had no positive effect, and the goal was disallowed.
Nicolo Barella stunned onlookers with an exquisitely driven opening shot in the 31st minute of the first half after slipping through two defenders.
Marco Verratti passed the ball to him, and he advanced past tenacious opponents to put the ball in the far corner against Thibaut Courtois’ best efforts.
In addition, Courtois is recognized as one of the best goalkeepers in all of football.
Gianluigi Donnarumma stopped a shot from Belgian forward Kevin De Bruyne even though the latter appeared to be a threat as well.
The Italian goalkeeper made a fantastic save by deftly blocking a second attempt from Lukaku with his right hand.
The Italians engaged in a difficult match.
They were skilled, traditional players, and their defense was outstanding.
They exerted a lot of effort, and it paid off in the game’s 44th minute.
After scoring the second goal for his squad, Lorenzo Insigne stunned the audience at Allianz Arena.
Roberto Mancini, the Italian manager, remarked to Sky Sports:
“I don’t believe we suffered excessively at any part of the game.
A fantastic performance from everyone is required to defeat a team like Belgium, and today, this is exactly what happened.
“We scored two goals, but we had the potential for more.
The triumph, in my opinion, was entirely earned.
Spain is the next country, but the further you get, the harder it gets.
Tonight, however, we merely want to reflect on our accomplishments.
Belgium scores a penalty
It seemed as though the Italian national team was winning.
The Belgians believed they were also not being treated fairly.
However, Lukaku was given a chance as a result of Lorenzo’s foul on Jeremy Doku.
Belgian optimism was rekindled by the Inter Milan striker.
Lukaku delivered his team the spot-kick to win a penalty goal before the break.
He has scored 24 goals in his last 23 games.
He had five chances to demonstrate his abilities as a legitimate striker.
However, there aren’t many margins in football, and it was not his day.
When De Bruyne delivered the ball to him in the second half, there was a lot of expectation that a goal would be scored.
Had Lukaku’s strike not gone straight to Roma midfielder Leonardo Spinazzola, Italy’s score of two would have been tied.
Once more, he was inches away from the goal with an empty net in front of him when Nacer Chadli’s deflected throw flew over his head.
Roberto Martinez, the manager of Belgium, said in an interview with Sky Sports that he felt “what you can imagine, actually” about the player’s elimination from the competition: sadness and despair.
They did a fantastic job of getting ready to move forward day by day from the start of the competition.
And sadly, we encountered a favorable side today (Friday) (Italy).
In this knockout stage, I believed there were two extremely strong teams.
And regrettably, the odds were not on our side.
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The Turning Point in Italian History
The Italians had chances to extend their lead in the second half.
But Belgium had more opportunities.
Federico Chiesa, Spinazzola, and Insigne all attempted and came very near.
But Spinazzola’s save of a Lukaku attempt gave the Italian football team its resounding victory.
He turned things around for the Azzurri, whose score continued to be ahead.
Giorgio Chiellini, the captain, who had recovered from an injury, as well as Bonucci, were ecstatic about Spinazzola’s crucial action.
They received the desired entry into the semifinals as a result.
And everyone in the stadium was in a frenzy.
They play Spain in London on Tuesday.