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regular-article-logo Tuesday, 10 December 2024

Leonardo Spinazzola could miss the rest of Euro 2020

According to Italian media, Spinazzola has travelled to Rome for tests.

Our Bureau, AP Published 04.07.21, 10:47 AM
Leonardo Spinazzola.

Leonardo Spinazzola. Twitter/@siphillipssport

Italy defender Leonardo Spinazzola could miss the rest of the European Championship because of injury. Spinazzola was taken off the field on a stretcher in the 79th minute of Italy's 2-1 quarterfinal win over Belgium after pulling up sharply while chasing the ball.

The 28-year-old took to Instagram to say, "Unfortunately we all know how it went but our blue dream continues and with this great group nothing is impossible." According to Italian media, Spinazzola has travelled to Rome for tests.

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How Italy made it to the semis

Nicolo Barella and Lorenzo Insigne scored a goal each while Spinazzola made a key second-half block to take the Azzurri into the last four

"Everyone, myself included, is really playing with a smile on their faces," said Insigne, whose team extended its national record unbeaten run to 32 games.

Romelu Lukaku kept Belgium in the game with a penalty right before half-time but the Red Devils missed further chances to equalise in the second half as Italy's defenders excelled.

Barella put Italy in the lead in the 31st minute when Jan Vertonghen failed to properly clear the ball. Marco Verratti passed to Barella, who eluded two Belgium defenders before sending it in off the far post.

Insigne got the second in the 44th when he put a curling shot inside the far top corner after skipping past one defender and facing two more.

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

"I didn't see the penalty," Italy coach Robert Mancini said. "The defense told me it was rather cheap, but that aside, it was very important to produce a top-class performance, and we did just that."

Italy will next play Spain in the semifinals on Wednesday at the Wembley Stadium in London.

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