In the match between the two best teams, the Italians defeated the Belgians

What did we expect before the match?

This seemed to be the most balanced of the four quarterfinals. There were also compelling arguments for the advancement of the Italians and the Belgians. In the latter, perhaps only the French came to the EB with a more talented frame, while the Italians seemed like a better team. In addition, there are coaches of outstanding ability sitting on both benches, in the person of the two Roberto, Mancini and Martinez.

Both national teams surpassed their group with three victories, and then among the 16, the Belgians suffered with the Portuguese and the Italians with the Austrians. It could even be said that the top two teams in the EC will clash on Friday night in Munich.

In the case of the Italians, Chiellini, who missed the match against the Austrians, returned to the defense, and in the case of the Belgians, De Bruyne was also able to take over the game, whose performance was highly doubtful after being injured in the match against the Portuguese. Eden Hazard, on the other hand, really couldn’t get on the field, Martinez put 19-year-old Doku in his place.

How was the match compared to that?

The first half started with an Italian field dominance but somewhat more dangerous Belgian attacks. Nevertheless, in the 13th minute, the Italians were happy for the first time. when an injection bounced from Bonucci into the gate of Courtois. However, the VAR intervened because more people than the Italians were lurking.

In the middle of the half, increasingly dangerous Belgian attacks followed one another. First, De Bruyne forced Donnarumma into a huge defensive shot with a beautiful long shot, then Lukaku also put the Italian goalkeeper to the test.

After several dangerous but blocked Italian shots by Belgian defenders, in the 31st minute, Barella scored a goal for Courtois. The Belgian defenders sold a ball, after which they were perhaps confused by the fact that Immobile simulated trembling inside their 16s and Barella hit it mercilessly. Everyone can rest assured, Immobile from the goal he was healed by magic.

At the end of the half, as one of the least surprising developments in football history, the Italians stood a little back to defend themselves. But the Belgians didn’t know much to do with it, although they repeatedly clumsily passed the Belgian 16 around, making it 2-0 in the 44th minute. The Belgian midfielders backed away in front of the Insigne, who turned towards the goal, until they made a beautifully winding shot from 18 next to the left goal post of the uselessly stretching Courtois goal.

Neutral spectators at the time certainly thought that there was no such thing as an Italian national team selling a two-goal advantage. However, after the midfield, Di Lorenzo could only stop Doku, who was trying to get around him in the 16th, irregularly, and Lukaku sold the ball in cold blood, cutting the ball in the middle instead of the throwing Donnarumma. So we didn’t turn to the second half with a match that ran.

What the Italians were doing better was leading one after another of pleasing, though not particularly dangerous, attacks. In the absence of the ball, the Belgians had their counterattacks, and in the 61st minute they almost equalized at such an end. All it took was for Lukaku to pass the ball into the goal from a meter and a half, not into Spinazzola’s thigh.

On the other side, the Spinazzola-Insigne left wind, which also played wonderfully in this match, also brought together a nice situation, and it was the moment when it was really clear that the two best teams in the tournament were really fighting each other here.

In the 70th minute, the Belgians started the series of substitutions: Mertens and Chabli came in instead of Tielemans and Meunier, who even put together a goal situation in just a few seconds. However, Chabli was injured when the game became more physical, and he had to leave the field. Praet replaced him. Mancini also reacted quickly to the more offensive Belgian lineup, sending Cristante and Bellotti to replace Verratti and Immobile. Seconds later, while sprinting, the best of the Italian tournament so far, Spinazzola, was injured and had to be taken down on a stretcher, sobbing. He was replaced by Emerson and Insigné by Berardi.

From a lot of forced rest and care, the match became fragmented and the standard dropped. The last move, reminiscent of football, was Doku’s in the 84th minute. After several shots, Donnarumma could only watch his shot, which soon bypassed the Italian goal.

From then on, the Italians applied all the time-consuming tricks that existed, especially the trembling on the ground. Thus, instead of a 5-minute overtime, the match eventually lasted 97 minutes, but even though Courtois came up to head at the last Belgian corner, he remained 2: 1.

Who won the anthem?

Bomb surprise! Although the Italians pretended to take their usual singing seriously, the laughing Chiellinin seemed to know they were entertaining the audience as well. So the Belgians.

Kneeling?

The Belgians always get on their knees, and the Italians, who would not otherwise, have joined them out of respect.

Who was the man in the match?

The Italians are the tragic hero Spinazzola. But overall, it’s still Doku who, at just 19, was the most dangerous Belgian player on a team full of much bigger stars.

Judge and VAR

At 11, it was possible to argue, but it could also be given. There was no other problem.

What’s next?

The Italians will play the semi-finals with the Spaniards on Tuesday. And this big Belgian generation might get another chance at the World Cup in Qatar next year.

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