The golden generation of Belgium, led by Roberto Martínez, will once again be left without winning a great title. It will be Roberto Mancini's Italy that will face Spain with the final of this European Championship at stake this Tuesday at Wembley. The goals of Nicolò Barella and Lorenzo Insigne allowed the ‘azzurri’ to qualify for the semifinals (1-2).
Kevin de Bruyne and Eden Hazard, recovering from injuries, were the great doubts of Roberto Martínez, who confessed that he would wait until the end to make a decision on whether he aligned them or not. In the end De Bruyne was the starter, while Eden Hazard was ruled out. But the Manchester City star could not be decisive.
In a first half of enormous level, and despite the fact that Belgium had several opportunities, especially a left-footed shot from De Bruyne in a counterattack, it was Italy that took the lead at the Allianz Arena in Munich: Marco Verratti caused a loss of the ball from the former Barcelona player Thomas Vermaelen and the ball was taken advantage of by Nicolò Barella to make a great play, beating the defense of the 'red devils' to beat Real Madrid player Thibaut Courtois in the 31st minute.
Gianluigi Donnarumma was also key for Mancini's with his interventions, as in two separate shots from De Bruyne and Lukaku. And the second of the ‘azzurri’ was the work of Insigne, who made a splendid move to end up leaving Tielemans and connecting a beautiful shot of thread. It was 45 '. A very hard blow for Belgium, but Romelu Lukaku fixed it a little in the discount when transforming a penalty from Giovanni Di Lorenzo on Jérémy Doku. Following the consultation with the VAR, Lukaku cut the gap for Belgium.
The second half was also spectacular, with a more dominating Italy. Lukaku failed to take advantage of several good chances, such as a pass from De Bruyne, in which Leonardo Spinazzola prevented the Inter attacker from leveling the score with his thigh. Doku made it 2-2 in his boots after a good play in the 84th minute, but he threw the ball high.
Spinazola and Chadli get injured
Within a few minutes of each other, Chadli were injured in Belgium (as soon as they entered the field) and Spinazzola in Italy, who retired on a stretcher crying. The side of Roma has had a spectacular Euro Cup.
Belgium attacked in search of forcing the extension, but could not with a firm Italy in all its facets. A colossus that is back after his absence from the 2018 World Cup in Russia. Lethal in his pressure. Fast. And with a vocation to practice good football.