A Thorgan Hazard stunner vs Portugal booked Belgium’s spot on this eye-catching quarter-final, as they secured their fourth win at Euro 2020 – the primary time this nation has ever received 4 video games in a single European Championship finals. They’ll now hope to capitalize on a fortunate omen, as 4 of the earlier 5 nations to have knocked out the present European champions went on to elevate the trophy.
Having misplaced on the quarter-finals of the 2014 World Cup and Euro 2016, Belgium lastly cleared this hurdle on the 2018 World Cup. They’ve proven actual growth beneath boss Roberto Martínez, as no European nation has received extra video games (47) and scored extra targets (175) than Belgium since Martínez took over.
In actual fact, it’s a managerial battle of Roberto’s on this encounter. Italy, at the moment led by Roberto Mancini, has received three of 4 fixtures in opposition to Belgium because the begin of 2000 (L1), and are unbeaten in main match H2Hs (W3, D1) – the final two led to a 2-0 win for the Italians.
Mancini’s impressed substitutions received the job completed in opposition to Austria, with one other clear sheet in 90 minutes taking Italy’s present streak to 12 inside regulation time. Arriving of their fourth successive European Championship quarter-final (W1, L2), a win would end in a fifth consecutive European Championship victory for the Italians, an unprecedented feat for the ‘Azzuri’.
Averaging 21.8 pictures per recreation – a match excessive after the Spherical of 16 – whereas going through solely seven pictures themselves, reveals Italy have been at their greatest. In actual fact, they’ve solely conceded 13 targets throughout their final 18 matches at main tournaments, preserving eight clear sheets, and conceding greater than as soon as on just one event.
Gamers to observe: Thorgan Hazard now has 4 targets and two assists in his final seven begin for Belgium, whereas Italy’s Ciro Motionless shall be trying so as to add to his two targets and one help at Euro 2020.
Scorching stat: Italy’s final three Euro quarter-finals went to penalties (W1, L2).
Live score match Belgium vs Italy 3.7.2021