Italy is fighting its way into the European Championship semi-finals

In the five-star quarter-final against Belgium with Kevin De Bruyne, who recovered in time, the Italians won convincingly 2-1 (2-1) on Friday evening in Munich after the big tremors in the round of 31. After goals from Nicolò Barella (44st minute) and Lorenzo Insigne (12th), the Red Devils hit back with a penalty kick in front of 984 spectators through storm giant Romelu Lukaku (45th + 2). But the clever Italians let their Tifosi celebrate the next football festival late at night with the 32nd game without defeat in a row.

On Tuesday there will be an explosive showdown in London between two major football powers that have also faced each other at the last three European Championships. The Belgian guard, praised as the Golden Generation, who had to cope with the loss of Real Madrid star Eden Hazard due to a muscle injury, will not be able to adorn themselves with a title at this European Championship either. Chiellini and De Bruyne in the starting line-up Five days after the Belgians' 1-0 win in the round of 2 against the dethroned defending champions Portugal, Kevin De Bruyne was back in the starting line-up, but was only able to put the desired stamp on the game at times. The Manchester City star suffered an ankle injury in the game. For Italy, which had defeated Austria 1-XNUMX after extra time at the start of the knockout games, captain Giorgio Chiellini returned after recovering from a muscle injury.

Belgium started with more attacking zeal than Italy. The men around De Bruyne were always looking for their star attacker Lukaku. The Tifosi's first goal celebration came after a free kick and a goal from Leonardo Bonucci. But the joy was short-lived because the defensive veteran was offside when the goal was scored, which is why the goal was not recognized after the video referee intervened.

Nicolò Barella made it 1-0. © APA/afp / CHRISTOF STACHE

World number one Belgium didn't let this slow them down either. De Bruyne in particular was bursting with enthusiasm. He followed up a shot in the 17th minute with another in the 22nd minute, which Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma defused, as well as Lukaku's ball shortly afterwards.

Like the Belgians, the Italians also played forward, but more patiently. In a period of pressure in the middle of the first half, the Azzurri rewarded themselves with the lead. In the 31st minute, Nicolo Barella punished Jan Vertonghen for losing the ball to make it 1-0 by beating three opponents and giving Thibaut Courtois no chance with a powerful shot. This had a temporary effect on the Belgians. In the middle of the collective daze, Lorenzo Isigne (44th) stormed from the left towards the penalty area and shot the ball into the goal to make it 2-0. Hotly debated penalty But then Belgium showed a strong reaction. Jéremy Doku, at 19 years and 36 days the Red Devils' youngest starting XI player in a knockout game at the European Championships or World Cup, darted swiftly into the Italian penalty area and was fouled. Lukaku confidently converted the penalty due (45th + 2). It was the striker's fourth goal of the tournament.

After the restart, the Red Devils struggled to equalize, but found no way to counter the good defensive staggering and the Italians' early disruption of the game's build-up. When the ball came to Lukaku after a fine combination via Doku and De Bruyne and he took the shot, defender Leonardo Spinazzola (61') saved Roberto Mancini's team's lead and was celebrated by his teammates. The 28-year-old later had to go out injured. Nevertheless, the Italians remained secure defensively and did not give up their advantage.

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Italy is fighting its way into the European Championship semi-finals

The Squadra Azzurra moved into the European Championship semi-finals against Spain in the style of a champion.

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