Belgium vs Italy – Impressive Azzurri see off Belgium

The Italian football team started their Euro 2016 campaign with an impressive performance against Belgium, who are tipped as the dark horses for the tournament. Italy went in front in the first half through Emanuele Giaccherini , their win was sealed with an injury time strike from Graziano Pelle.

It was Belgium started on the front and dominated possession early in the first half and even forcing a diving save from Gianluigi Buffon after a fine strike from Radja Nainggolan.  Belgium continue to press and took several shots from outside the box but they hardly threatened Buffon’s goal.

Italy scored in the 32nd minute after a superb long range pass from Leonardo Bonucci found Emanuele Giaccherini , who controlled well and kept his cool to give Italy the lead and even though Belgium created more chances and dominated most of the possession, they found themselves 1-0 down at half time.

Italy started the second half well and displayed neat passing before Belgium started to knock on the door again , Lukaku missed arguably Belgium’s best chance of the game firing wide after a fine through ball from De Bruyne. Just moments after Lukaku’s miss, Italy themselves could have added another only to be defined by a fine diving save from Courtois from a Pelle Header.

Italy defended very well throughout and never really allowed any penetration from Belgium, they created several more chances late on but the sturdy Italian defence was up to them.

They added another in stoppage time after Candreva lifted in a delightful ball across which was fired in by Pelle , a deserved win for the four time world champions.

The result puts Italy on top of their group and with defending like that Antonio Conte’s team should not be treated lightly, as far as Belgium are concerned they now face a must win game against Sweden.

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• Belgium
• Euro 2016
• Italy