Despite a lackluster performance in a 0-0 draw with Israel under strict security in Paris, Italy’s triumph against Belgium on Thursday assured them a spot in the last eight and qualified them for France through UEFA Nations League quarter-finals. With a decisive win in Athens, Lee Carsley, whose short tenure as England coach comes to an end on Sunday, put his team atop their group on goal differential. Italy defeated Belgium 1-0 in Group A2 in Brussels by being frugal.
After eleven minutes, the visitors scored after dominating the first eleven minutes. Giovanni Di Lorenzo, a fullback, sent a cross that veered into Sandro Tonali’s path for a tap-in.
Belgian center back Wout Faes’ effort in the second half struck a post.
“We showed again that we give it a go and don’t just sit back in matches, that’s the big change,” Tonali stated to RAI.
In front of little under 17,000 spectators at the Stade de France in Paris, although the stadium can accommodate up to 80,000, hesitant France failed to create and take opportunities as they drew 0-0 with Israel.
In order to stop a recurrence of the attacks on supporters of the Israeli team Maccabi Tel Aviv in Amsterdam last week, almost 4,000 police officers and security personnel guarded both inside and outside the stadium.
An AFP correspondent witnessed stewards having to step in at one point to prevent clashes between supporters of the two countries in the stands.
Despite Israeli officials’ warnings to avoid the match, some 100 Israeli supporters showed up.
It wasn’t until the 20th minute that captain N’Golo Kante forced goalkeeper Daniel Peretz to make his first stop on the field by jinking into the six-yard area.
Peretz only had to make two diving stops in the second half, one from Warren Zaire-Emery and another from Christopher Nkunku in extra time, despite France managing 25 chances on goal.
“I’m angry. When French broadcaster TF1 asked France fullback Jules Kounde what his first response was, he answered, “Frustration.” “The only good point from tonight is that qualification is assured.”
When the teams play in Milan on Sunday, France might still win the group, even though Italy leads by three points.
“Against a very defensive opponent, we did what we had to do, but we could have done more,” France coach Didier Deschamps told TF1.
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