Thursday, April 3, 2025

Italy thrash Belgium 2-0

Date:

Share post:

LYON: Emanuele Giaccherini and Graziano Pelle sparked wild celebrations by Italy after scoring the goals in a 2-0 win over world number two side Belgium in their opening Euro 2016 match. Defending champions Spain, seeking an unprecedented third triumph, also started with a hard fought 1-0 win over Czech Republic. Zlatani Ibrahimovic’s Sweden and Irish Republic drew 1-1. Belgium’s Red Devils were punished by a ruthless Italian performance despite dominating for long spells of the Group E clash in Lyon. Italy’s coach said the team’s first round failure at the 2014 World Cup should inspire the Azzurri to success at the European Championship. “That open wound from two years ago needs to burn in the players,” Conte said. Giaccherini’s strike just after the half hour put future Chelsea manager Conte’s men in front before Southampton striker Pelle sealed the win with a thumping finish from Antonio Candreva’s cross. Veteran goalkeeper and captain Gianluigi Buffon sprinted the length of the pitch to join in the celebrations. Pelle also jumped as though he had won the tournament. Belgium now face a crucial clash with Ireland on Saturday in Bordeaux if they are to avoid an embarrassing early exit. A star-studded Belgian attack containing Eden Hazard, Kevin de Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku were frustrated throughout by Italy’s ‘BBC’ defence of Andre Barzagli, Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini. (AFP)

Related articles

Trump unveils tariffs

Washington, April 2: President Donald Trump announced plans for sweeping tariffs Wednesday, saying "our country has been looted,...

SC quashes HC order against The Shillong Times

NEW DELHI, April 2: The Supreme Court of India has quashed a contempt proceeding against The Shillong Times...

Kharlukhi raps Biren for remarks on PA Sangma

SHILLONG, April 2: Former NPP state president and Rajya Sabha MP WR Kharlukhi on Wednesday criticised former Manipur...

New snakehead species of fish found in Chokpot

SHILLONG, March 2: Meghalaya has once again gained recognition in the scientific community with the discovery of a...