It will be Belgium-Italy. It is the eternal unfinished of football, for some time at number 1 in the Fifa ranking but never conqueror of a trophy, the next opponent of the Azzurri: Friday 2 July in Munich could be the right opportunity to live another night magical. In the meantime, we must say goodbye to the Portugal of Cristiano Ronaldo, the reigning champion for a little while since he will no longer have the chance to defend the title.
Fernando Santos’s team tried every way, in the second half, to catch up with the result, after a flash of Thorgan Hazard (the best of his together with his brother Eden) had pierced them three minutes before half-time.
But there was nothing to do, despite the Lusitanians ‘coach having used every card at his disposal, from Bernardo Silva to Bruno Fernandes, from the excellent Joao Felix to Joao Moutinho, from André Silva to that Sergio Oliveira’ killer ‘of Juve in the Champions League.
All in vain, thanks to Cristiano Ronaldo’s lackluster day, the equal goal did not arrive, despite 24 shots on goal (there was also a pole by Raphael Guerreiro) and in the end the notes of fado sound particularly sad because the Portuguese probably did not deserve defeat.
As for the winners of this potential title challenge, which came too early, coach Roberto Martinez’s late-game exultation is amply justified. But now he will have to check the conditions of De Bruyne, who came out at 3 ‘st for the after-effects of a bad foul by the Portuguese’ mastiff ‘Palhinha, and Eden Hazard who at 42’ st was alternated by Ferreira Carrasco and came out puffing and touching a thigh.
While waiting to hear the response of the doctors, the Belgian coach is already studying the moves to neutralize Mancini’s blues. And Lukaku? He worked hard, fought as he always does, supported his teammates, dragged his opponents behind him but, like CR7, he remained blank: the hug between the two was nice at the end of the game.
The goal came towards the end of the first half, in the 42nd minute and at the first real conclusion of Belgium, thanks to a fine shot from distance by Thorgan Hazard. Served by the other winger Meunier, the brother of art exploded a powerful right that overtook Rui Patricio for 1-0. That was enough for Belgium to win, but to beat Italy too they will have to do much better.