Italy edge Belgium to set up semi-final tie with Spain

Italy beat Belgium to set up semi-final match with Spain (Match highlights) - Euro 2020

Italy are now unbeaten in 32 games and have won 12 consecutive matches under Roberto Macinni. (Photo credit: uefa.com)

Italy advanced to the Euro 2020 semi-finals after edging Belgium in a thrilling contest in Munich.

Although the game did not feature as many goals as some of the other last-16 matches, it was a tense duel between two good teams that played fantastic football.

Italy has undoubtedly been the best team at the tournament thus far, while Belgium is the top-ranked team in the world.

The Azzurri's two goals were of the finest quality, bringing the squad to 13 wins in a row and 32 games without a loss.

Nicolo Barella wriggled past three defenders to score the opener, then Lorenzo Insigne dashed from the halfway line to score one of the tournament's best goals.

When Giovanni di Lorenzo fouled Jeremy Doku late in the first half, Romelu Lukaku scored the penalty to give Belgium hope.

In a tense second half, both teams had chances to score, but the Azzurri advanced due to a lack of goals.

Roberto Mancini's team will face Spain at Wembley on Tuesday, although they may be missing left-back Leonardo Spinazzola, who was taken off on a stretcher late in the game.

Man of the Match: Lorenzo Insigne (Italy)

🌟 🇮🇹 An inspired performance from Italy magician Lorenzo Insigne 👏👏👏#EUROSOTM | @Heineken | #EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/ZFTNcGGkU4

— UEFA EURO 2020 (@EURO2020) July 2, 2021

What the players and managers said

Roberto Mancini, Italy coach: "I don't think we suffered too much at any moment of the game. To beat a team like Belgium, you need a great performance from everybody and that is exactly what happened today."

Lorenzo Insigne, Italy forward: "I think every single player in the team played an incredible game tonight. I always try that shot, in games and in training. I'm happy it went in. It was a great goal but I repeat, we all won together tonight."

Kevin De Bruyne, Belgium midfielder: "I think we tried everything to win this match. They scored a fantastic goal, but the first one may have been a mistake on our part. They had more possession and the ball didn't go in for us, which is a shame. Getting eliminated is always a disappointment."

Thibaut Courtois, Belgium goalkeeper: "This hits hard, but we knew it was going to be a tough game. We had two opportunities, but their keeper made a good save and I think we gave the first goal away a bit too easily. It really could have gone either way, but Italy deserved to win here."

Belgium 1-2 Italy: Watch full match highlights