- Fran Reilly
- Tue, Jun 14 2016
Italy put themselves firmly in the driving seat in Euro 2016 Group E with a 2-0 win over Belgium in the Stade de Lyon.
Goals from Emanuele Giaccherini and Graziano Pelle ensured that it was the Italians who triumphed in this clash, with the result seeing them top the group whilst condemning Belgium to the bottom following the
1-1 draw between Sweden and the Republic of Ireland earlier in the day.
Marc Wilmots' Belgium were tipped as dark horses during the 2014 World Cup but underperformed on the biggest stage in Brazil. In this encounter, they continued in that vein of form, looking disjointed throughtout and unable to get Eden Hazard on the ball for long periods, with Romelu Lukaku was isolated – though Kevin de Bruyne did create a number of chances that his teammates failed to convert.
Italy, meanwhile, turned in a performance which suggests that Antonio Conte has put together a side which is greater than sum of its parts and which can cope without the loss of key players, such as injured Juventus midfielder Claudio Marchisio.
Despite their inconsistent showing on the night, it was Belgium who drew the first save of the game in the tenth minute, Radja Nainggolan firing straight at Italy 'keeper Gianluigi Buffon after a knock down by Marouane Fellaini.
Manchester United midfielder Fellaini then put a header wide after a de Bruyne cross one minute later before teeing up Nainggolan once again – this time the Roma man shot wide of the target.
Southampton striker Pelle had Italy's first attempt on goal in the 29th minute, but he fired wide. Yet for all of Belgium's early running it would be the Italians who took the lead three minutes later.
A pass over the top by Leonardo Bonucci badly caught out the ball watching Toby Alderweireld, and Giaccherini had timed his run perfectly and controlled exceptionally, allowing him to sidefoot home with his second touch on the edge of the six yard box past the onrushing Thibaut Courtois.
Pelle, winning just his 14th Italian cap on the night, was involved in the Azzurri's next two chances, setting up Antonio Candreva whose shot was saved by Courtois, and heading wide of the target himself sixty seconds later.
The sides traded chances just before half-time, Lukaku seeing his first shot of the game saved by Buffon after another Fellaini headed set up, with Pelle once more missing the target at the other end after latching onto a Candreva cross.
It was Lukaku then who had the first shot of the second-half, firing over the crossbar after de Bruyne teed him up, while one minute later Pelle and Candreva linked up again, the former once more failing to convert his chance.
De Bruyne was trying his best to get his side back into the game and next he teed up Hazard, quiet up until this point – but the Chelsea winger saw his effort saved by Buffon. Hazard saw another effort blocked in 69th minute before substitute Dries Mertens saw an ambitious 35 yard effort fly over the bar.
Clearcut chances were few and far between until the 82nd minute when Belgian substitute Dviock Origi passed up a glorious chance to bring his side level. De Bruyne's corner was perfect for the Liverpool striker, but he could only head over. His reaction said it all as he held his face in his hands.
Italy's Ciro Immobile, himself a striker off the bench, and Marco Parolo then had chances saved by Courtois as the Belgian 'keeper did his best to give his side hope of nicking a point, but it would be to no avail as Pelle finally got the goal he was chasing all game in injury time.
Belgium were at six and sevens at the back as Courtois advanced on Candreva in the penatly area and all the Lazio man had to do was dink it across the box to the unmarked Pelle who was arriving late. The 30 year old volleyed home emphatically for his sixth goal in 14 internationals which sealed all three points for Italy.
Belgium: Thibaut Courtois; Laurent Ciman (Yannick Ferreira Carrasco, 75), Toby Alderweireld, Thomas Vermaelen, Jan Vertonghen; Marouane Fellaini, Kevin de Bruyne, Eden Hazard, Radja Nainggolan (Dries Mertens, 62), Axel Witsel; Romelu Lukaku (Divock Origi, 73).
Subs not used: Jean-François Gillet (GK), Simon Mignolet (GK), Jason Denayer, Mousa Dembélé, Christian Benteke, Michy Batshuayi, Christian Kabasele, Jordan Lukaku, Thomas Meunier.
Bookings: J. Vertonghen.
Italy: Gianluigi Buffon; Matteo Darmian (Mattia De Sciglio, 59), Giorgio Chiellini, Leonardo Bonucci, Andrea Barzagli; Marco Parolo, Emanuele Giaccherini, Daniele De Rossi (Thiago Motta, 78), Antonio Candreva, Graziano Pelle, Éder (Ciro Immobile, 75).
Subs not used: Federico Marchetti (GK), Salvatore Sirigu (GK), Simone Zaza, Stefano Sturaro, Angelo Ogbonna, Lorenzo Insigne, Alessandro Florenzi, Stephan El Shaarawy, Federico Bernardeschi.
Bookings: E. Giaccherini (32), G. Chiellini (65), Éder (75), L. Bonucci (78), T. Motta (84).
Referee: Mark Clattenburg (ENG).
Attendance: 58,585.
Extratime Man of the Match: Graziano Pelle (Italy).
