With a 31st minute Nicolo Barella score and a beautiful, Serie A classic, Lorenzo Insigne strike at the 44th Italy overcame Romelu Lukaku’s 45+2’ penalty score to win and move on to a semifinals clash with Spain.
Playing without the perennially injured Eden Hazard and relying on a visibly not fully-fit Kevin De Bruyne, Belgium could be seen to still carry the weight of their titanic clash with Portugal five days ago. Italy, despite having played an extra time affair with Austria, seemed to have used the extra day of rest to rejuvenate and throughout the match, they seemed the fresher side.
The new-style Italians were all over the Belgians from the get-go and had a goal rightfully called back at the 8th for offsides. But the die had been cast, and it was simply a matter of time for the Azzurri, wearing white, to break through a much less intense Belgian resistance. Once they feel behind, though, the Red Devils put it in overdrive and had at least three goal-scoring opportunities go begging including an Italian fanny saving a sure score by Lukaku and a couple of unlucky ricochets leaving open men stranded when a through ball would have ensured a score.
But the gods who allowed the Belgians to only have one true goal-scoring chance against Portugal and scored when Portugal had countless chances and did not, seemed to take perverse pleasure in torturing this golden generation making them go trophyless once again. Time will only tell if Roberto Martinez’s side will come back and provide a true run at silverware in the Qatar 2022 World Cup, but if they do, it may well be their very last chance to turn that long-standing FIFA #1 Ranking into something substantial.
For Italy it is sweet returns as the team who did not get to play in Russia’s 2018 World Cup is now but a match away from being in the final of Euro 2020. Just remember that the last time Spain played Italy in the Euro it was Spain winning 4-0 in the final. Only Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini, on the pitch then, may be on the pitch this time around and no doubt they will have that match in the back of their minds.
Photo: Lorenzo Insigne 193724854 © Marco Canoniero | Dreamstime.com
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