Belgium 0-2 Italy: Giaccherini and Pelle seal victory
Emanuele Giaccherini and Graziano Pelle scored as Italy start their Euro 2016 campaign with victory over Belgium in Lyon.
Sunderland midfielder Emanuele Giaccherini opened the scoring in the 32nd minute, finishing well after Leonardo Bonucci’s superb pass.
Southampton’s Pelle sealed the win in injury time with an emphatic volley following an incisive break.
Italy move to the top of Group E after the 1-1 draw between Republic of Ireland and Sweden earlier in the day. The Azzurri’s next game is against Sweden on Friday, while Belgium will look to get their campaign back on track against Martin O’Neill’s side.
Belgium sit bottom of the group following Republic of Ireland’s 1-1 draw with Sweden.
Radja Nainggolan tested Gianluigi Buffon with an early long-range drive that the veteran goalkeeper pushed away from his left-hand upright.
Kevin De Bruyne was twice frustrated by some typically assiduous Italy defending as he sought to wipe out the deficit, with Conte’s men soaking up what little pressure was being applied.
Belgium striker Romelu Lukaku capped a poor night for Marc Wilmots’ side, failing to hit the target after being played in one-on-one with Gianluigi Buffon by Eden Hazard.
Belgium were very disappointing, with Romelu Lukaku and Divock Origi wasteful in front of goal.
Everton forward Lukaku curled over from the edge of the box with just the keeper to beat while Liverpool’s Origi missed two opportunities to head his side level.
Teams
Belgium: Courtois, Ciman (Carrasco, 75), Alderweireld, Vermaelen, Vertonghen, Witsel, Nainggolan (Mertens, 62), Fellaini, De Bruyne, Hazard, R. Lukaku (Origi, 73).
Italy: Buffon, Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini, Candreva, Parolo, De Rossi (Motta, 78), Giaccherini, Darmian (De Sciglio, 59), Pelle, Eder (Immobile, 75).
Man of the Match: Emanuele Giaccherini
