Impressive appearance
The best game of the tournament: Italy beats Belgium – also thanks to Insigne’s dream goal
Lorenzo Insigne celebrates the 2-0 win for Italy – his goal was an absolute world-class goal
© Andreas Gebert / Picture Alliance
It was the best game of this European Championship so far in terms of football: Belgium and Italy delivered a remarkable match. With a downer: Leonardo Spinazzola has probably seriously injured himself.
Some described the encounter between Italy and Belgium before the match as an”early final”. And anyone who watched the first half of the two teams could quite understand this formulation: Italy began with a joyous game, strong in a two-way fight, consistent and once again seemed like the big favorite for the title of this European Championship. Belgium had massive problems with this strong performance – but still fought back to the best of their ability. Which is why the first 45 minutes were the most attractive thing you have seen in terms of football quality at this tournament so far.
Accordingly, the Italians were allowed to cheer early. And yet rejoiced too soon. Because the supposed lead goal by captain Giorgio Chiellini was revoked after a VAR deployment because of an offside position. However, there was nothing wrong with Nicolo Barella’s goal in the 31st minute-1: 0 for Italy in the arena in Munich. ZDF expert Per Mertesacker was audibly impressed in the half-time break, because: “That they do not manage the lead, that they went full on the 2: 0, that was already strong.”
Insigne scores 2: 0-a world-class goal
Even stronger, however, was the conclusion, which led to the 2:0. Lorenzo Insigne scored a fantastic goal from just under 20 meters-absolute world class. But who believed in the 44th minute, the game was pre-determined, was taught a better in the aftermath. Because referee Slavko Vincic whistled penalty for Belgium after a harmless touch from Giovanni Di Lorenzo to Jeremy Doku. A wrong decision. But apparently no clear wrong decision – because the VAR did not intervene. Romelu Lukaku said good thanks. 2:1 to break.
After the change of sides, the Belgians tried to put a little more pressure. But they did not get real access at first. The Italian defense was too well staggered, the opponent moved too cleverly in the pressing – until the 61st minute. Because then the 2:2 could have fallen, if not had to fall: Doku’s input landed at Lukaku, who stood two meters in front of the goal. “He actually does it when you wake him up at three o’clock at night,” commented Sandro Wagner on the microphone of ZDF. But from Lukaku the ball bounced to the leg of Leonardo Spinazzola. Impressive at this stage: the Belgians did not hang up, they gave gas, they believed in themselves. And at no point did Italy come up with the idea of settling in behind, but courageously continued to provide relief in the hunt for the decisive goal to 3:1. It was a high-class, open game. Impressively led from both sides. Even if there were no more hits.
The opponent in the semifinals is called Spain-Spinazzola will be missing
On Tuesday at 21 Clock it comes to the next “early finals”. Then Spain meets Italy. The Italians will then miss Spinazzola. One of the best players of the game has probably seriously injured and was brought off the field with the stretcher ten minutes before the end of the game.
