Sunday. 03.11.2024

Italy underlined their status as Euro 2020 contenders on Friday with a 2-1 victory over world ranking leaders Belgium an an exciting quarter-final match.

Nicolo Barella in the 31st and Lorenzo Insigne in the 44th were on target for the Azzurri who extended a national record of unbeaten matches to 32.

Belgium scored through Romelu Lukaku from a soft penalty but their golden generation once again failed to go all the way for a first major title for the nation.

Italy now face Spain in the semi-finals in Tuesday at Wembley for a place in the final at the famed London arena on July 11.

Spain beat Switzerland on penalties earlier Friday.

Back on track

02 July 2021, Bavaria, Munich: Italy's Leonardo Bonucci (R) celebrates scoring his side's first goal that was disallowed due to an offside position during the UEFA EURO 2020 quarter-final soccer match between Italy and Belgium at the Allianz Arena. Photo: Federico Gambarini/dpa

Italy's Leonardo Bonucci (R) celebrates scoring his side's first goal that was disallowed due to an offside position. Photo: Federico Gambarini/dpa

Italy defeated the then two-time reigning champions Spain 2-0 in the last 16 in 2016.

Spain beat Italy 4-0 in the 2012 final.

02 July 2021, Munich: Italy's Giorgio Chiellini (L) and Belgium's Romelu Lukaku fight for the ball during the UEFA EURO 2020 quarter-final soccer match between Italy and Belgium at the Allianz Arena. Photo: Bruno Fahy/BELGA/dpa

Italy's Giorgio Chiellini (L) and Belgium's Romelu Lukaku fight for the ball. Photo: Bruno Fahy/dpa.

Roberto Mancini's men will hope for the same this time around as they seemed back on track with a performance vastly improved compared to their narrow last-16 extra time win over Austria and more in line again with their three convincing group stage wins.

Italy stop Belgium 2-1 in classy Euro 2020 quarter-final