'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wgARCAAGAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFQABAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABQb/2gAIAQEAAAAAAmP/xAAUAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAD/9oACAECEAAAAB//xAAUAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAE/9oACAEDEAAAAF//xAAfEAACAgEEAwAAAAAAAAAAAAABAgMRBQAEBhITIkH/2gAIAQEAAT8AxPCcMMSwyQnm3iSpI08bkWOzCqJ+gDR4asp8hi2ILe1U+v/EABgRAAIDAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABAhEh/9oACAECAQE/AFclrP/EABcRAQEBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAECABH/2gAIAQMBAT8AkJa4b//Z'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Italy reached the semi-finals of Euro 2020 after beating Belgium 2-1 in Munich.
Nicolo Barella and Lorenzo Insigne were on target for the Azzurri while Romelu Lukaku pulled one back for the Red Devils from a penalty.
All the goals came during a pulsating opening stanza when chances were flying in at both ends, though some of the momentum was lost after the break with Roberto Martinez's side looking tired.
Lukaku had one good chance to restore parity but saw his effort blocked on the line while the Blues also came close on a few occasions at the other end, but to no avail.
Trending
Italy held on to their lead and set up a semi-final date with Spain at Wembley while another inquest beckons for Belgium, who fell short in their quest for silverware again.
Here are the player ratings:
Belgium Player Ratings
Thibaut Courtois - 6.5/10
Despite his towering stature, Courtois had no chance with either of Italy's goals tonight but won't let that take anything away from his performance in goal otherwise.
Toby Alderweireld - 6/10
Italy's fast-moving game had Alderweireld on his toes and the star came away with mixed success. Although he made two clearances and blocks each, the Spurs man failed to keep track of Insigne.
Thomas Vermaelen - 7/10
Besides that one moment when Vermaelen took some time before closing down Insigne for his goal, the Vissel Kobe centre-back was sound in defense. He completed four tackles and five interceptions, whilst also reading the game brilliantly to make four clearances.
Jan Vertonghen - 5/10
He gave away possession midway through the first-half which resulted in Italy's opening goal and often looked suspect in his positioning. The weakest link in Belgium's back-three.
Thomas Meunier - 7/10
Most of Belgium's attack came from his side of the field as Meunier was full of vim and vigor. He didn't renounce his defensive responsibilities while contributing to their attack, making four clearances and three interceptions.
Youri Tielemans - 6.5/10
The Leicester City star couldn't influence the proceedings like he normally does, but worked hard on and off the ball to make something happen. He went into the referee's book for catching Marco Veratti and was also the first Belgian player to be subbed in the second-half.
Axel Witsel - 5.5/10
Witsel struggled to cope with Italy's pace at times but often helped his side build from the deep with his expansive passing range.
Thorgan Hazard - 5/10
Belgium's match-winner against Portugal, Hazard was a peripheral figure today and couldn't make any meaningful impact.
Kevin De Bruyne - 7.5/10
De Bruyne was unstoppable on the counter and even saw a venomous shot blocked in the first-half. He was easily the best player for Belgium for some time, creating three chances too, but faded in the final quarter of the match as the creative wizard appeared to run out of steam.
Jeremy Doku - 7.5/10
Another eye-catching performer for Belgium tonight, Doku struggled to get going early on, found his feet sooner rather than later, and ran hell for leather. He also won a penalty for Lukaku.
Romelu Lukaku - 7/10
He clinically dispatched a penalty which halved Belgium's deficit but failed to conjure up anything more. Lukaku had a chance to bring his side level after the break but saw his effort blocked on the line.
Substitutes
Nacer Chadli - 6/10
He almost created a chance just seconds after coming on but his cross was deflected over the bar. Another two minutes later, Chadli limped off with a muscle injury.
Dries Mertens - 6/10
The Napoli ace had only six touches on the ball in 21 minutes of action but still managed to create one chance.
Dennis Praet - 6/10
He replaced substitute Chadli in an enforced change but was barely seen in the game.
Italy Player Ratings
Gianluigi Donnarumma - 7.5/10
An assured performance in goal from Donnarumma, who made a few key saves to keep out Belgium.
Giovani Di Lorenzo - 5/10
He hacked down Di Lorenzo inside the area in what seemed like a silly challenge, culminating in a penalty for Belgium. He generally struggled to keep up with their pace on the breaks.
Leonardo Bonucci - 7/10
Bonucci appeared to give Italy the lead early on but it was ruled out for offside. However, the veteran star continued to run a taut ship at the back alongside his Juventus teammate Chiellini.
Giorgio Chiellini - 7.5/10
The Italy captain didn't put a foot wrong in the match and led by an example. He made six clearances.
Leonardo Spinazzola - 7/10
He contributed a lot going forward and also made a match-rescue block on Lukaku in the second-half. Unfortunately, the player went off with a nasty injury and might miss the semis.
Nicolo Barella - 8/10
A livewire in Italy's attack, Barella scored a brilliant opener for his side and his precocious skill on the ball gave Belgium plenty to think about.
Jorginho - 8/10
The midfield maestro continued to pull the strings for Italy with aplomb. He was key to controlling his side's tempo and linked up well with Verratti and Barella in the middle. An unsung hero.
Marco Verratti - 8/10
Verratti recovered from an early booking by setting up Barella for the opener and took the game to Belgium fearlessly.
Federico Chiesa - 6.5/10
He didn't have as much impact as he did when he came off the bench in the last game, struggling to bring his usual attacking flair.
Ciro Immobile - 5/10
Arguably his poorest game so far, Immobile was uncharacteristically quiet, especially in the second-half, when he made some poor first touches and gave away possession cheaply.
Lorenzo Insigne - 7.5/10
Insigne doubled Italy's advantage in the first-half with a fabulous goal and terrorized the Belgian defense in the space given to him.
Substitutes
Bryan Cristante - 6/10
He replaced Verratti and helped the Azzurri protect their lead.
Rafael Toloi - N/A
The Atalanta star came off in the final minutes to help Italy close out the game.
Andrea Belotti - 6/10
He came on for Immobile as a like-for-like replacement but offered precious little in the attack. His disappointing campaign continued.
Domenico Berardi - 6/10
Passionate and fearless, although Berardi got ahead of himself with a rash challenge late on which got him booked.
