Belgium 1-2 Italy: 5 talking points as the Azzurri cruise into the last four | UEFA Euro 2020 

Italy eliminated Belgium from Euro 2020 on Friday
Italy eliminated Belgium from Euro 2020 on Friday

#3 Italy continue march back to the summit under Roberto Mancini's guidance

Italy put up a dominant display against Belgium
Italy put up a dominant display against Belgium

Italy have hit rock-bottom in the last few years, but this victory over Belgium has offered a chance for fans to start believing once again.

The Azzurri came into Euro 2020 without many giving them a chance. This is despite the four-time world champions being one of the most in-form teams heading into the tournament.

They were on a 27-game unbeaten run, while their perfect group stage saw them remarkably win 11 consecutive games without conceding a single goal.

Despite this impressive form, Italy still came into the clash with Belgium as underdogs, not least because of the sheer quality available to Roberto Martinez.

However, Roberto Mancini has drilled his side with the ethos of hard work associated with the great Italian teams of old.

This teamwork came to the fore against Belgium, and Italy were undeniably deserved winners in the game.

The rise back to the top has been arduous and full of obstacles, but Mancini has gone about his business with minimal fuss.

Fans of Italian football can finally start dreaming again.


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#2 Belgium's calamitous defense cost them against Italy

Belgium's defense struggled against Italy
Belgium's defense struggled against Italy

Much has been made of Belgium's star-studded squad, but an often overlooked point is that their defense is not as replete with ability as other departments in the team.

Proof of this lies in the fact that a 35-year-old Thomas Vermaelen started in the center of defense for Belgium against Italy. The former Arsenal defender was a quality defender in his heydey but has become extremely injury-prone in recent years.

He currently plays his club football in Japan. This means that he is playing at levels significantly lower than what is offered in elite football - with all due respect to the J1 League.

Alongside the Vissel Kobe man were the 34-year-old Jan Vertonghen and 32-year-old Toby Alderweireld. The drop in pace was evident against Italy, whose attackers ran circles around them.

Of course, experienced defenders are still very much needed on the international scene (you only need to look at Italy's center-back pairing to understand this). However, Belgium's defenders did not cover themselves in glory with their display against the Azzurri.

Jan Vertonghen's carelessness in possession directly led to Italy's first goal. The Belgian defenders also failed to cover Insigne when he was driving towards goal.

This was basically a suicide mission knowing what the Napoli man was capable of from that range. That proved to be the case when he found the top corner with one of the best goals of the tournament.

It is unknown if Thomas Vermaelen and co. will form part of Belgium's contingent for the 2022 World Cup. Still, their schoolboy errors played a key role in their nation's elimination against Italy.


#1 Impressive Lorenzo Insigne puts up a masterclass for Italy

Lorenzo Insigne gave a man-of-the-match performance against Belgium
Lorenzo Insigne gave a man-of-the-match performance against Belgium

Lorenzo Insigne has been one of the most consistent performers in Serie A over the last few years. The Napoli skipper, however, does not get the accolades his abilities deserve owing to the relatively low profile of the Pertenopei.

It has been a different case for the 30-year-old at Euro 2020, and he gave another fine display in the victory over Belgium.

Insigne has made a name for himself as one of the best players at finding the top corner with curlers. He opened his Euro 2020 account with a trademark goal in the victory over Turkey on the opening day.

It was more of the same against Belgium as he capped his performance with a wonder goal to put his nation two goals up.

Beyond the goal, Insigne was also full of running and constantly put the Red Devils defense on the backfoot before his departure in the 79th minute.


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