A united Italy team on Monday night dented Belgium’s chances of glory at the Euro 2016 with a clinical 2-0 victory in Lyon.
Emanuele Giaccherini scored the opening goal in the 31st minute, while Graziano Pelle scored sealed the victory through a classic counter attack in the 91st minute.
After going one goal down, the Belgians missed several chances as they chased the equalizer all through the second half but Italy defended well.
Romelu Lukaku would be one of the guilty players, wasting one of the best goal scoring chances on the night as Marc Wilmots’ men failed to make it 1-1.
Pellè settled Italy’s nerves with a second after one of Belgium’s desperate attacking forays went bad and resulted in a counterattack.
Belgium, ranked number two in the world and rated as one of the pre-tournament favourites, are now bottom of Group E with Ireland and Sweden in second and third after drawing 1-1.
Earlier in the day, reigning champions Spain left it late as Gerard Pique’s 87th-minute header earned them a deserved 1-0 victory over a dogged Czech Republic in their Group D opener.
Spanish Coach, Vicente Del Bosque selected under-pressure goalkeeper, David De Gea for the starting line-up.
In the most one-sided game of the tournament so far, Vicente Del Bosque’s side looked like they would not get any reward for their possession until the Barcelona defender headed in Andres Iniesta’s cross.
