Euro 2020: Italy beat Belgium to advance to semi-finals

Italy players celebrate after winning their Euro 2020 football championship quarter-final against Belgium. Photo / AP

Nicolò Barella and Lorenzo Insigne scored a goal each on Saturday to give Italy a 2-1 win over Belgium and a spot in the European Championship semi-finals.

Romelu Lukaku pulled one back from the penalty spot right before halftime but the Belgians missed further chances to equalise in the second half.

Barella put Italy in the lead in the 31st minute after eluding two Belgium defenders and sending the ball in off the far post. Insigne got the second in the 44th when he put a curling shot inside the far top corner.

Italy will next play Spain in the semi-finals on Wednesday at Wembley Stadium in London. The Spanish defeated Switzerland on penalties in St. Petersburg.

Belgium got the penalty when Giovanni Di Lorenzo pushed Jeremy Doku shortly before halftime. Lukaku then made it 2-1 by sending his shot down the middle.

Belgium's Kevin De Bruyne shows his frustration during his side's loss to Italy. Photo / AP

It was only the second goal Italy has conceded at the tournament.

Kevin De Bruyne started the match for Belgium after recovering from a left ankle injury, but Eden Hazard remained out with his leg injury.

Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma made two good saves to deny De Bruyne and Lukaku early in the match.