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Home  » Sports » Euro: Dominant Italy down Belgium 2-0

Euro: Dominant Italy down Belgium 2-0

Last updated on: June 14, 2016 03:04 IST
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Italy captain Gianluigi Buffon celebrates his team's 2-0 win over Belgium after their UEFA EURO 2016 Group E match at Stade des Lumieres in Lyon on Monday

IMAGE: Italy captain Gianluigi Buffon celebrates his team's 2-0 win over Belgium after their UEFA EURO 2016 Group E match at Stade des Lumieres in Lyon on Monday. Photograph: Julian Finney/Getty Images

Italy were clinical in their approach as they beat Belgium 2-0 in their Euro 2016 Group E encounter on Monday.

Goals from Emanuele Giaccherini and Graziano Pellè gave saw the Italians a winning start to their campaign.

Giaccherini put the Azzurris ahead in the 31st minute when he met Bonucci's long pass and slotted past Belgian 'keeper Thibaut Courtois from close range.

Italy's Graziano Pelle scores his team's second goal in added time

IMAGE: Italy's Graziano Pelle scores his team's second goal in added time. Photograph: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

It was the first big-ticket match of the competition this year and it stood true to its billing.

Even though Belgium were all over the place, they did have their moments. But it was Italy who stole the show throughout. 

Once the Azzurris pumped in the opening goal, Italy sat back and their back three -- Bonucci, Barzagli, Chiellini -- put on a stoic show to deny Belgium any opportunity to come back in the game.

Italy's Emanuele Giaccherini and Belgium's Eden Hazard vie for possession 

IMAGE: Italy's Emanuele Giaccherini and Belgium's Eden Hazard vie for possession. Photograph: Kai Pfaffenbach/Reuters

In a contest with an authentic big-match feel and quality, Antonio Conte's side spurned chances to increase the lead with Pelle heading wide and forcing a spectacular save by Thibaut Courtois before sealing the win with a volley in stoppage time.

Belgium, seeking a first competitive victory over Italy in 44 years, belatedly came to grips with the contest as Romelu Lukaku and his replacement Divock Origi came close but the Italians go top after Sweden's 1-1 draw with Ireland in Paris.

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