Nicolo Barella and Lorenzo Insigne got among the scoring charts as Italy defeated Belgium 2-1 in the quarterfinals of the ongoing Euro 2020 here at the Allianz Arena on Friday (local time).

With this win, Italy has entered the semi-finals of the tournament. The side will now lock horns against Spain in the semifinals at the Wembley Stadium.

Italy took a 2-0 lead by the 44th minute of the match as Barella and Insigne registered goals in the 31st and 44th minutes respectively. However, just before half-time, Belgium pegged one goal back as Romelu Lukaku scored, bringing the scoreline to 2-1.

Bellissimo 
Insigne curls the ball beyond Courtois 

Goal of the Round contender?@GazpromFootball | #EUROGOTR | #EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/fVrkbD58z8

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

However, no more goals were scored in the match, and in the end, Belgium walked away with a 2-1 victory, setting up a clash with Spain in the semifinals.

Who will join Italy & Spain in the last 4? @GazpromFootball | #EUROPredictor | #EURO2020

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

Earlier on Friday, Spain defeated Switzerland 3-1 on penalties to enter the semifinals. The normal 90-minutes action had finished at 1-1.

Later today, the Czech Republic and Denmark will play each other in the first semifinal while in the second, England will lock horns against Ukraine.

St. Petersburg: Belgium will play their last Group B match against Finland on Tuesday (. The Roberto Martinez coached side will most probably see the qualification door at the end of today’s match, regardless of the result. 

But, before the start of that match the former Arsenal and France legend, Thierry Henry – who is currently the assistant coach of Belgium – has scored a wonderful looking goal off a freekick from outside the box. After Henry took the free-kick and scored the goal, Belgium striker Romelu Lukaku came running towards the former footballer and hugged him for scoring the goal. 

The entire Belgium team including Lukau and De Bruyne looked baffled after Henry scored that brace. Take a look at the goal below:

We can hear Lukaku saying, “Come on. Record top goal-scorers don’t need this. Come on, man! Go in, go in!” 

Machester City start Kevin De Bryune is also heard saying, “That’s the issue we’ve been training for half-an-hour and scored a few. He just goes with his left and killed us! And we have a game tomorrow!”

Lukaku can then be seen adding: “This guy retired for 10 years. He killed my whole country, man!”

The Red Devils’ assistant coach has over the years scored many such free-kicks for France and also for Arsenal, Juventus, Barcelona and his other clubs. 

Thierry Henry is 43 years old and he announced his retirement in 2014. Despite that, the Frenchman has the ability to score such amazing freekicks. This video has been shared widely, especially by the Arsenal fans. 

 

Belgium, who are riding high on confidence, are set to lock horns with spirited Finland in a Group B clash on Tuesday. The match would be played at the Krestovsky Stadium, commonly known as the Gazprom Arena in Saint Petersburg.

Belgium, with two wins from as many matches, have already booked a spot in the last-16. Their first victory against Russia was proof of why they are the number one ranked side in the world. But they had to dig deep to find a way to defeat Denmark 2-1 in their second match. This match would help Belgium prepare for much tougher competition awaiting ahead in the knockouts. But they would find a strong force in Finland, who have sprung up a surprise in their first major tournament.

Finland started off with a 1-0 win over Denmark, in a match where Christian Eriksen suffered a cardiac arrest and had collapsed. But they succumbed to a defeat to Russia in their next match. With a spot in the last-16 on the line, Finland would hope to come up with their best performance against one of the title favourites.

It is worth mentioning that in terms of head-to-head statistics, Finland surprisingly hold the upper hand with four wins in the 11 total matches that they have played. Belgium have won three and the remaining four games have ended in draws.

Here are the complete details from the UEFA Euro 2020 match between Finland and Belgium:

When is the UEFA Euro 2020 match between Finland and Belgium?

The UEFA Euro 2020 match between Finland and Belgium will be played on Tuesday (June 22).
 

What time does the UEFA Euro 2020 match between Finland and Belgium start?

The UEFA Euro 2020 match between Finland and Belgium will start at 12:30 am as per IST.
 

Where is the UEFA Euro 2020 match between Finland and Belgium being played?

The UEFA Euro 2020 match between Finland and Belgium will be played at the Gazprom Arena in Saint Petersburg.
 

Which TV channels will broadcast the UEFA Euro 2020 match between Finland and Belgium in India?

The UEFA Euro 2020 match between Finland and Belgium will be telecast on Sony Ten 2 (HD), Sony Ten 3 (HD-Hindi). Sony Six (HD) and Sony Ten 4 (HD) will have regional coverage in India.
 

How can I Livestream the UEFA Euro 2020 match between Finland and Belgium?

The livestreaming of the UEFA Euro 2020 match between Finland and Belgium is available on the Sony Liv app and the website.

Romelu Lukaku scored twice as Belgium confirmed their status as one of the favourites for Euro 2020 with a confident 3-0 victory over Russia on Saturday.

Despite being without key performer Kevin De Bruyne, world number one ranked Belgium were rarely in trouble against a Russian side that struggled to impose themselves.

Roberto Martinez’s Belgium top Group B on three points, ahead on goal difference of Finland who beat Denmark in the group’s other game in Copenhagen.

As it stands in Group A and Group B…

Standout team so far? #EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/Bs1RF0CuVw

— UEFA EURO 2020 (@EURO2020) June 12, 2021

The Red Devils are unbeaten in 10 games in all competitions and have suffered just one defeat in their last 24 outings. They have also scored in each of their last 31 games.

The visitor’s grabbed the lead in the 10th minute when Andrei Semyonov failed to deal with a ball into the box from Leander Dendoncker, and Lukaku turned and fired into the bottom corner.

The goals keep coming for Belgium sharpshooter Romelu Lukaku @Heineken | #EUROSOTM | #EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/zEB6MLbHIQ

— UEFA EURO 2020 (@EURO2020) June 12, 2021

Lukaku celebrated his goal by running to the television camera and shouting “Chris, Chris, I love you” in tribute to Christian Eriksen, the Danish midfielder and his club team-mate at Inter Milan, who had been rushed to hospital after collapsing during the earlier game in the group.

Lukaku celebrating by saying “Chris, I love you” heartwarming stuff pic.twitter.com/HPEdh0k2wy

— Dubois (@CFCDUBois) June 12, 2021

Belgium were calm in possession and found plenty of time and space against Russia who struggled to get a firm grip on the game.

The Russians reached the quarter-finals in the World Cup they hosted in 2018 but the energy of those performances was missing, despite playing at home in front of more than 26,000 fans.

Stanislav Cherchesov struggled to find either the tempo to their attacks or a way to provide quality service to striker Artem Dzyuba who was too often left isolated.

It was no surprise when the second goal came, in the 34th minute, when Russia keeper Anton Shunin could only parry Thorgan Hazard’s shot towards Thomas Meunier, who made no mistake.

Russia applied some pressure after the interval but the Belgians coped without too much panic and the game already felt decided before Lukaku wrapped up the win with a well-taken effort after racing on to a through ball from Meunier.

Lukaku said the Eriksen situation had left him in tears before the game.

“I cried a lot because I was scared, obviously. You live strong moments together. I spent more time with him than with my family,” he said.

“My thoughts are with him, his girlfriend, his two kids and his family,” he added.

“I enjoyed the game but for me, it was difficult to play because my mind was with Christian. I hope he is healthy and I dedicate this performance to him,” added the former Manchester United striker.

Lukaku and the Belgian team had taken the knee before the kick-off but the anti-racist gesture was met with jeers and whistles from the crowd.

Romelu Lukaku scored twice as Belgium confirmed their status as one of the favourites for Euro 2020 with a confident 3-0 victory over Russia on Saturday.

Despite being without key performer Kevin De Bruyne, world number one ranked Belgium were rarely in trouble against a Russian side that struggled to impose themselves.

Roberto Martinez’s Belgium top Group B on three points, ahead on goal difference of Finland who beat Denmark in the group’s other game in Copenhagen.

As it stands in Group A and Group B…

Standout team so far? #EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/Bs1RF0CuVw

— UEFA EURO 2020 (@EURO2020) June 12, 2021

The Red Devils are unbeaten in 10 games in all competitions and have suffered just one defeat in their last 24 outings. They have also scored in each of their last 31 games.

The visitor’s grabbed the lead in the 10th minute when Andrei Semyonov failed to deal with a ball into the box from Leander Dendoncker, and Lukaku turned and fired into the bottom corner.

The goals keep coming for Belgium sharpshooter Romelu Lukaku @Heineken | #EUROSOTM | #EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/zEB6MLbHIQ

— UEFA EURO 2020 (@EURO2020) June 12, 2021

Lukaku celebrated his goal by running to the television camera and shouting “Chris, Chris, I love you” in tribute to Christian Eriksen, the Danish midfielder and his club team-mate at Inter Milan, who had been rushed to hospital after collapsing during the earlier game in the group.

Lukaku celebrating by saying “Chris, I love you” heartwarming stuff pic.twitter.com/HPEdh0k2wy

— Dubois (@CFCDUBois) June 12, 2021

Belgium were calm in possession and found plenty of time and space against Russia who struggled to get a firm grip on the game.

The Russians reached the quarter-finals in the World Cup they hosted in 2018 but the energy of those performances was missing, despite playing at home in front of more than 26,000 fans.

Stanislav Cherchesov struggled to find either the tempo to their attacks or a way to provide quality service to striker Artem Dzyuba who was too often left isolated.

It was no surprise when the second goal came, in the 34th minute, when Russia keeper Anton Shunin could only parry Thorgan Hazard’s shot towards Thomas Meunier, who made no mistake.

Russia applied some pressure after the interval but the Belgians coped without too much panic and the game already felt decided before Lukaku wrapped up the win with a well-taken effort after racing on to a through ball from Meunier.

Lukaku said the Eriksen situation had left him in tears before the game.

“I cried a lot because I was scared, obviously. You live strong moments together. I spent more time with him than with my family,” he said.

“My thoughts are with him, his girlfriend, his two kids and his family,” he added.

“I enjoyed the game but for me, it was difficult to play because my mind was with Christian. I hope he is healthy and I dedicate this performance to him,” added the former Manchester United striker.

Lukaku and the Belgian team had taken the knee before the kick-off but the anti-racist gesture was met with jeers and whistles from the crowd.

Thierry Henry is rejoining Belgium’s coaching staff for the European Championship where he will serve again as one of coach Roberto Martinez’s assistants, the Belgian football association said on Sunday (May 30). Henry, 43, worked on Martinez’s staff from mid-2016 until just after the World Cup in Russia, where Belgium finished third.

The former World cup winner then went to Monaco as coach and later to Montreal Impact in Major League Soccer before returning to working as a television pundit in Britain. “We are delighted that Thierry can join us for the Euros,” a statement quoted Martinez as saying.

“His tournament experience and international football know-how is great added value to our staff. Thierry knows almost every player and staff member and it feels only natural that we can carry on the story started in the qualifying campaign for the 2018 World Cup and its bronze-medal conclusion.”

“It’s an honour and privilege to be called to help Roberto and the rest of the staff for the upcoming European Championship,” former France international Henry said. “It’s a continuation of an unfinished story and we will give everything for a successful outcome.”

Belgian are drawn in Group B with Denmark, Finland and Russia.

Karim Benzema looking to move on from France exile

Five years after an exile from the France national team, Karim Benzema said he is looking to put the past behind him and his only focus is on leading the line for Didier Deschamps’ side at next month’s European Championship.

Benzema, who has scored 30 goals in all competitions for Real Madrid this season, has not played for France since 2015 after a blackmailing scandal over which he faces a trial in October. The 33-year-old also said in 2016 that Deschamps had ‘bowed to the pressure of a racist part of France’ when leaving the forward out of the Euro squad that year but got a surprise call-up for the Euros which begin on June 11.

“What happened has happened. There are always regrets, we cannot turn back, we can just change from the past,” Benzema, who has 27 goals in 81 games for France, told reporters on Sunday (May 30).

“The most important thing is what happens on the ground… Now I’m focused on the game and trying to show the best on the pitch.”

Benzema will team up with 22-year-old Kylian Mbappe who led France to the World Cup title in 2018 and the striker praised his younger team mate. “I do not like to compare, (Mbappe) is still a young player, a phenomenon,” Benzema said.

“I have already been able to train with him. We play with one touch, he has good movement, he has a lot of speed and has skill in front of goal. He’s a very, very good player.”

France, who finished runners-up in 2016, are in Group F along with holders Portugal, Hungary, and Germany. They play their first match against Germany in Munich on June 15.