Belgium 1-2 Italy: 5 Hits and Flops as Azzurri march into the semi-finals | UEFA Euro 2020

Italy triumphed over top-ranked Belgium to seal semi-final berth
Italy triumphed over top-ranked Belgium to seal semi-final berth

#3 Hit: Jeremy Doku (Belgium)

Doku impressed for Belgium
Doku impressed for Belgium

The 19-year-old showed why he was so widely regarded as a talent to watch out for at Euro 2020. Doku was menacing in wide areas for Belgium with his sudden bursts of pace and excellent close-control.

It was due to his sheer determination and directness that Belgium won the penalty to pull a goal back through Lukaku just before half-time.

The Rennes forward whizzed past Di Lorenzo, who then brought him down with a slight push inside the 18-yard area.

Even in the second half, Doku was constantly causing trouble for Di Lorenzo and was easily Belgium's best player on the night.

Irrespective of the result, Belgium can draw a lot of confidence from his display after being drafted into such a high-profile game in a major tournament. Certainly, the future looks bright for Doku.


#2 Flop: Ciro Immobile (Italy)

Immobile had a game to forget
Immobile had a game to forget

The striker struggled to make an impact for Italy throughout his involvement during the game. Immobile was sketchy with his hold-up play and his touch let him down on more than one occasion.

Despite their win and progression to the semi-finals, Italy will know they need more from Immobile. The Lazio striker started the tournament with two goals in two games, but has gone slightly off the boil recently.

On another night, Immobile would have faced further criticism if the result did not go Italy's way. Fortunately for him, at least they wrapped up the result.


#1 Hit: Lorenzo Insigne (Italy)

Insigne showed his quality again
Insigne showed his quality again

It is crazy to think Gian Piero Ventura did not even bring Insigne off the bench when Italy needed a goal to qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

The performance against Belgium has to be the perfect example of what he can offer in crunch games. There was relentless running, tracking back and that thing of beauty in the 44th minute.

It was entirely his work as well. Insigne dribbled from inside his own half before slaloming past Youri Tielemans and if that wasn't enough, the winger topped it off with an outrageous curling finish from outside the penalty area.

While it was as predictable as Insigne could get, there was no stopping it either. Courtois dived at full stretch, but to no avail. Insigne is not a round peg in a square hole anymore, he's just having fun under Mancini and that is all Italy need now.

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Edited by Prem Deshpande
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