Parc Olympique Lyonnais, Lyon. Group E
Belgium 0- 2 Italy
Emanuele Giaccherini 32’
Graziano Pelle 90+3
Following the draw between Rep. Ireland and Sweden, a winner of this match was going to top the group with a 2 point cushion.
Belgium might be higher in FIFA’s ranking at the moment, but Italy has been a superpower in football for a longer time. Belgium was somewhat favorite in this match, but in international football competitions, you can’t count out the tactics of Italy.
A great start to the competition for Italy, as they secured the maximum points from the match.
Leonardo Bonucci lob from the middle of the field split the Belgian defenses, allowing Emanuele Giaccherini opened the scoring in the 32’ minute. Knowing the traditional defensive tactics of Italy in international competitions, that was enough to secure a point.
Belgium had some chances to get an equalizer. The clearest chance was a counterattack that ended with Romelu Lukaku missing the net with his shot after Kevin De Bruyne’s passed him a ball in an open position against Gianluigi Buffon.
Italy faces Sweden in their next Group E match, while Belgium meets Rep. Ireland. If the first matches are anything to go by, Italy will be having an easier time than Belgium in their next matches. A win for Italy will put them in the knockout stage.
Belgium is the only team in Group E that has no points on the table. They can’t afford a loss in their next match.
As it stands in Group E
| Group E | |||||||
| Team | Played | Win | Loss | Draw | GF | GA | Points |
| Italy | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| Rep. Ireland | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Sweden | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Belgium | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
