Italy sealed their place in the semi-finals of Euro 2020 with a well-deserved 2-1 victory over Belgium on Friday.
Italy had a goal that was rightly ruled out by VAR early on after Leonardo Bonucci was caught offside, but I Nerazzuri advanced on the half-hour mark thanks to an excellent strike from Nicolo Barella. Lorenzo Insigne’s wonderful curling attempt made it 2-0, but Romelu Lukaku converted a penalty to give Belgium a lifeline before the break.
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Belgium had some excellent chances to equalize after the break, with Lukaku coming within a few inches to do twice, but they could not find a way through Italy’s dominant defense in a second half injured by an injury to Italy’s left back Leonardo Spinazzola, who was stretched off in tears after pulling up during a sprint.
Roberto Martinez’s side continued to knock on the door but were repeatedly rejected by Italy, whose well-deserved place in the semi-finals was sealed with the final whistle.
Courtois had no chance / STUART FRANKLIN / Getty Images
Thibaut Courtois (GK) – 5/10 – Could do absolutely nothing for the two goals, but did not have much to do except pick the ball from the back of the net.
Toby Alderweireld (CB) – 4/10 – Looked terrified to handle Spinazzola and did not do close enough to close Insigne for the second goal.
Thomas Vermaelen (CB) – 5/10 – Really showed his age here. Went well with handling Immobile when he stood still but looked good out of step as soon as he had to move. Should have closed Insigne.
Jan Vertonghen (CB) – 5/10 – Careless on the ball for the first goal and seemed to lack calm. Did not like at all to handle Chiesa’s pace.
Doku was fun to watch / Christof Stache – Pool / Getty Images
Thomas Meunier (RM) – 4/10 – Given the enviable task of handling Insigne and Spinazzola and was completely overwhelmed. Gave possession away too often.
Axel Witsel (CM) – 5/10 – Penned back by Italy’s high press. Did not do any pressing himself and did not compensate for it on the ball. A show to forget.
Youri Tielemans (CM) – 5/10 – Forced to play much deeper than he is comfortable doing. Could not get on the ball and was unhappy in the defense. Felt dull at times.
Thorgan Hazard (LM) – 5/10 – Could not get started at all. Never looked like a threat and put in a few too many bad crossings.
Jeremy Doku (AM) – 7/10 – Belgium’s brightest spark by a long way. Terrified Di Lorenzo with his pace and won the deserved penalty.
Kevin De Bruyne (AM) – 6/10 – Looked very dangerous when he arrived but did not do enough.
Lukaku fought all the time / Quality Sport Images / Getty Images
Romelu Lukaku (ST) – 6/10 – Started well but soon became far too isolated. Stayed and tried to fight their way back into the game. Showed good calm for the penalty.
Chadli was injured almost immediately / Stuart Franklin / Getty Images
Dries Mertens – 5/10
Nacer Chadli – N / A
Dennis Praet – 5/10
Donnarumma was excellent / Claudio Villa / Getty Images
Gianluigi Donnarumma (GK) – 7/10 – Made some excellent saves to keep Italy on top. Never really looked like admitting.
Giovanni Di Lorenzo (RB) – 6/10 – Was clumsy with the punishment. I found it difficult to keep track of Doku.
Giorgio Chiellini (CB) – 8/10 – Had a shaky start and did not like the fight with Lukaku, but recovered quickly and remained compact all the time. Outstanding late when he threw his body on everything.
Leonardo Bonucci (CB) – 7/10 – Composed on the back but made more strokes with the ball at his feet. Broke the lines with real ease all night.
Leonardo Spinazzola (LB) – 8/10 – His ridiculous euro continues. Had a screamer of a first touch from a pass in the first half and then made a game-saving block on Lukaku at the hour mark. Started late and may be ready for summer.
Verratti was excellent / Christof Stache – Pool / Getty Images
Marco Verratti (CM) – 8/10 – Just relentless with his pressing. Absolutely dictated the pace of this game and completely overwhelmed the Belgian midfield.
Jorginho (CM) – 8/10 – Had his playmaking boots on for this one. Every time he was on the ball, he looked like he was going to make something happen. Did not steal the headlines as his midfielder but was just as important.
Nicolo Barella (CM) – 8/10 – Scored a sublime goal and could easily have gotten some lovely assists to his name as well. Everything he did seemed to lead to a great moment. Outstanding.
Immobile was very gone / MATTHIAS HANGST / Getty Images
Federico Chiesa (RW) – 6/10 – Looked quite dangerous on the ball but will be disappointed not to have asked more questions from Hazard and Vertonghen. Should have done so much more.
Ciro Immobile (ST) – 4/10 – The obvious weak link in Italy’s attack. Could not get involved at all and ended up wasting some great moves from his midfielder. Not surprisingly hooked for Belotti.
Lorenzo Insigne (LW) – 8/10 – Spinazola’s movement gave him so much space and Insigne created chaos with it. Ran calls around the Belgian defense and scored one of the goals of the tournament.
Emerson had to replace Spinazzola / Stuart Franklin / Getty Images
Andrea Belotti – 6/10
Bryan Cristante – 6/10
Emerson Palmieri – 6/10
Domenico Berardi – 6/10
Rafael Toloi – N / A
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