After knocking out Defending Champions Portugal in the Round of 16, the world number 1 ranked team, Belgium faced another gigantic task as they faced off against inform Italy at the Allianz Arena in Munich.
Belgium Captian Eden Hazard missed the squad through another injury suffered against Portugal. They though did have Kevin De Bruyne back in the starting eleven after the midfielder suffered a knee injury and was substituted just after halftime in the RO16 clash.
In an end-to-end game of high flying action it was Italy who emerged out on top as they won 2-1 and progressed through to the Semi Final. Goals from Nicolo Barella and Lorenzo Insigne in the 31st and 44th gave them a crusing 2-0 lead.
However they soon gave away a penalty as Di Lorenzo brought down Jeremy Doku in the box. Romelu Lukaku converted from 12 yards in the second minute of first half added time to drag it back to 2-1.
Lukaku and Belgium had soon good chances in the second half to make it 2-2 but sqaundered them and their hope for major trophy goes on to another year.
Italy will now face Spain in the Semi Final at Wembley in London. This will be the fourth consecutive meeting between the two after Spain thrashed them 4-0 in the 2012 final and won on penalties in 2008, with Italy winning 2-0 in the 2016.
0 Comments