Italy scores! 🇮🇹 pic.twitter.com/vaWGbPgCdg
— Complex Sports (@Complex_Sports) June 13, 2016
We’ve been watching EURO 2016 throughout the span of the past few days and one of the most anticipated matches of the week was undoubtedly Belgium playing Italy.
Going into the game, critics were praising Belgium for how stacked the team was, with players like Eden Hazard, Thibaut Courtois, Romelu Lukaku, Kevin De Bruyne, Radja Nainggolan and more leading the pack. They were actually ranked the No. 2 squad on paper, but they played anything like that ranking on the pitch against this Italian team.
Even in the pre-game, the commentators stated how much critics have been disappointed at the Italian side and were doubting how good the team would play in the tournament.
Belgium had plenty of attempts on the night, striking first thanks to Nainggolan in the 10th minute. Luckily, Gianluigi Buffon was there for a world class save.
Then in the 31st minute, Leonardo Bonucci placed a perfect pass from midfield, over the Belgian defense, straight into the lap of Emanuele Giaccherini for the beautiful one-touch strike.
And they kept attacking too. Shortly after, Graziano Pellé had a header that was blocked by Courtois.
Belgium came out firing in the second half but none of their shots were finding the back of the net. There was one play in particular where De Bruyne led the counter attack and set up Lukaku something proper, but he couldn’t connect from just outside the box. His shot was slightly right of the post and they missed a big chance to equalize.
Lukaku was replaced by Divock Origi, Yannick Ferreira-Carrasco and Dries Mertens came on the pitch in the second half but they couldn’t convert on any chances either. Origi missed a header right in front of the goal from point blank range in the 82nd minute, pretty much summarizing the day for this Belgium squad on the day.
Italy AGAIN! pic.twitter.com/eeC8xNVM76
— Complex Sports (@Complex_Sports) June 13, 2016
The dagger for Italy came in extra time when Antonio Candreva crossed a ball to Pelle and sent a marvelous strike to the back of the net in the 91st minute, leaving every Belgian in the stadium deflated. Not only did Italy outplay them, but they added insult to injury in the final seconds.
If they can keep up the fantastic play, Italy can certainly win Group E. They currently lead with three points after the Republic or Ireland and Sweden drew 1-1 earlier.