Belgium and Italy opened their Euro 2016 campaigns with a Group E clash in Lyon on Monday night.
It was the Italians that entered the half-time break with a lead courtesy of a 32nd-minute goal from Emanuele Giaccherini.
Belgium continued to huff and puff in the second period as they searched for a leveller, but Italy made sure of the points in second-half stoppage time when Graziano Pelle volleyed home from close range.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
7.01pmEvening all! Sports Mole's live Euro 2016 coverage continues from Lyon as Belgium face Italy in Group E's second match. While this is not a must-win clash, neither will want to open their tournament with a defeat. It has all the makings of an entertaining fixture as this young and exciting Belgium team take on the old guard of Italy, who you sense have a point to prove in France this summer!
7.04pmTonight's clash will be the 21st meeting between these two countries in international football. It is a rivalry that dates back to May 1913, when Italy record a 1-0 victory over Belgium in a friendly. Overall, Italy have won 13 of their 20 matches to date, losing four and drawing the other four. Their last meeting was in November 2015, when Belgium recorded a 3-1 victory in a friendly clash.
7.07pmRight, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news from Lyon. Who have Marc Wilmots and Antonio Conte placed their faith in for tonight's match? Let's have a look shall we!
7.10pmTEAMS:
BEL: Courtois; Ciman, Alderweireld, Vermaelen, Vertonghen; Witsel, Nainggolan, Fellaini; De Bruyne, Lukaku, Hazard
ITA: Buffon; Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini; Candreva, Parolo, De Rossi, Giaccherini, Darmian; Pelle, Eder
7.13pmPlenty of familiar faces in the Belgium (4-3-3) line-up tonight as seven Premier League players make the starting XI. Chelsea duo Thibaut Courtois and Eden Hazard both start, while there are also spots in the team for Romelu Lukaku and Kevin de Bruyne. No Vincent Kompany due to injury, meaning that there is a place at right-back for Montreal Impact defender Laurent Ciman. Toby Alderweireld, Jan Vertonghen and Marouane Fellaini make up the Premier League representatives in this Belgium selection.
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7.16pmAs for Italy (3-5-2), it would be fair to say that defensively, Conte's side look very strong, but they appear short in the final third of the field. Veteran goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon starts behind an experienced back three of Giorgio Chiellini, Andrea Barzagli and Leonardo Bonucci, all of Italian champions Juventus. Matteo Darmian and Antonio Candreva will operate in the two wing-back positions, while it is Southampton's Graziano Pelle and Inter Milan's Eder as the two forwards.
7.19pmSo there we have it. The two teams are in and we are now just over 40 minutes from kickoff on this warm evening in Lyon. I shall speak about Italy a little bit later, but let's start with Belgium, who many are tipping to make a serious impression in France. On paper, they have an XI that stands alongside the best teams this summer, but can they put it all together? We will soon find out!
7.22pmIncredibly, Euro 2016 will be Belgium's first European Championships since 2000, when they went out in the group stages. They failed to qualify for Euro 2004, Euro 2008 or Euro 2012, but a golden period in Belgian football has seen them develop into an impressive outfit. At the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, they made the quarter-finals during a tournament that was full of promise and encouragement.
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7.25pmBelgium secured their spot at this summer's tournament after topping Group B in qualification. They won seven of their 10 matches and collected 23 points, which placed them two points and one spot ahead of Wales. Wilmots's side managed 24 goals in their 10 fixtures and only conceded five.
7.28pmIn terms of recent friendly results, Belgium lost 2-1 against Portugal in March, but beat Switzerland, drew with Finland and beat Norway in their three fixtures immediately before this tournament. It would be fair to say that the Red Devils are still trying to find a successful formula, but it could all come together in this summer's competition. There is no question that the talent is there.
7.32pm
The fans. pic.twitter.com/YGCsj0qSr9
— John Chapman (@BelgoFoot) June 13, 2016
7.35pmIn terms of what is ahead, Belgium will take on Republic of Ireland in their second group match, before finishing against Sweden on June 22. It is a tough section on paper and one, possibly two will miss out on a spot in the round of 16. Neither side has to win tonight, but defeat makes things complicated. In Group E's opening match this afternoon, Republic of Ireland drew 1-1 with Sweden.
7.38pmJust a reminder that 16 teams will advance from the six groups into the next round. How does that work? Well, as usual, the top two from each group will automatically make it through – 12 into the next round. The other four will come from the four best third-placed teams. It is actually pretty difficult not to make it through, especially if you win for first match of the competition.
7.42pmItaly, meanwhile, will enter this tournament with plenty of questions to answer. They have been branded 'a spent force' in some quarters and will be keen to silence their doubters with a successful tournament. Their squad looks thin and lacking quality compared to previous competitions, but there is still plenty of talent available and Conte's side will be looking for a strong start tonight.
7.45pmAt Euro 2012, Italy reached the final, where they thumped 4-0 by Spain. They also finished as runners-up at Euro 2000, but went out in the group stages of Euro 2004 and in the quarter-finals of Euro 2008. Incredibly, the Blues have also been eliminated in the group stages of the last two World Cups.
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7.48pmThat said, Conte's side had no problems whatsoever qualifying for this summer's tournament after finishing clear at the top of Group H. The Azzurri won seven of their 10 matches during an unbeaten qualification campaign and they will enter this match off the back of successive friendly wins over Scotland and Finland. Whatever you think about this Italy XI, they are still a strong outfit.
7.52pmIn terms of what is to come for the Italians, they will take on Sweden in their second group match on June 17, before finishing against Republic of Ireland on June 22. Right, little over 10 minutes until kickoff at Parc Olympique Lyonnais. I am actually going to back a 0-0 draw between these two.
7.55pmJust a reminder of the two teams for tonight's match...
BEL: Courtois; Ciman, Alderweireld, Vermaelen, Vertonghen; Witsel, Nainggolan, Fellaini; De Bruyne, Lukaku, Hazard
ITA: Buffon; Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini; Candreva, Parolo, De Rossi, Giaccherini, Darmian; Pelle, Eder
7.56pm
Crazy atmosphere here! La la la la la la la la la laaaaa! #belita #tousenfrance #EURO2016 pic.twitter.com/lknNAv8FR9
— BelgianRedDevils (@BelRedDevils) June 13, 2016
7.58pmHere we go then. The national anthems and pre-match handshakes have taken place and we are just about ready to get the first 45 minutes of this Group E clash underway. A win for either would take them to the top of the group following Republic of Ireland's 1-1 draw with Sweden this afternoon.
0 minRESTART! Italy get the first period underway in Lyon...
2 min... it must be said that there is a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium tonight. You just get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - could be vital here. I have actually backed a 0-0 draw, but Belgium, according to the bookmakers, are the favourites to start with three points tonight.
3 minSmart defending from Barzagli as the Italian centre-back comes across to clear a low cross from Lukaku, who had found space down the right. Quite an open start to proceedings in Lyon here.
5 minQuite comfortably more Belgian supporters than Italian inside the stadium tonight and that is shown by the boos that occur while Italy are in possession of the ball. Conte's side have started on the front foot here and Vermaelen is forced to clear a super cross from Candreva down the right.
7 minCandreva is holding that wide right position for Italy and Vertonghen is being forced across into an area that he will not find too comfortable. Belgium manage to enjoy their first spell of real possession in the middle of the park, but we are still waiting for the first half-chance of the match.
9 minIt is almost as if Belgium did not expect this strong start from Italy and neither did I! The team in white are on the front foot as they continue to fly into challenges and close the space available.
11 minSAVE! Nainggolan fires one towards the bottom corner after smart work from Fellaini, but Buffon is down to make a smart save in the Italian net. First attempt on goal tonight!
13 minThe majority of games at the European Championships have been very tight thus far, but the opening 13 minutes of this contest suggests that goals will arrive! It has been open and expansive and Italy will be pleased with their start after a lot of criticism from the media ahead of the competition.
15 minHazard attempts to wriggle away from Parolo in the middle of the park as Belgium work the ball from left to right, but the Italians have men behind the ball and Barzagli makes the clearance.
17 minIt must be said that the opening 17 minutes of this contest have just flown past. Darmian breaks down the left for the Italians before finding Giaccherini, but Alderweireld is on hand to make the block. Belgium break straight down the other end, but De Bruyne fails to pick out the run of Lukaku.
20 minFellaini finds space inside the Italian box after smart work from Hazard in a wide position, but Bonucci is on hand to usher the ball back to his own goalkeeper. Say what you like about this Italy team and their lack of potential match-winners, but they have some wonderful players at the back.
22 minNainggolan again tries his luck from distance, but his effort was always sweeping wide.
25 minGood spell for Belgium in the last couple of minutes as Ciman continues to make good ground down the right, while Lukaku is starting to find some space inside the Italian penalty box. Belgium's latest corner comes into the box from De Bruyne, but Bonucci is on hand to clear down-field.
27 minJust a reminder that Republic of Ireland and Sweden played out a 1-1 draw in Group E's first fixture earlier this afternoon. You just get the feeling that this is going to be a very, very tight section.
29 minDifficult to say that either team deserves to be leading at this stage of the match, but Belgium have been more dangerous in the final third of the field. That said, Nainggolan's strike from distance remains their only attempt on target in the opening 29 minutes. Italy are yet to test Courtois here.
30 minHalf-chance for Italy as Pelle finds space outside the Belgium box, but his effort is just wide.
32 minLukaku is a touch fortunate to escape a booking after bringing Chiellini to the deck with a late challenge. Frustration for Lukaku as the Italian back three continues to hold off the Everton man.
32 minGOAL! Belgium 0-1 Italy (Giaccherini)
33 minBreakthrough! Italy take the lead in the 32nd minute of this clash as Giaccherini collects a wonderful pass from Bonucci before finishing past Courtois from close range. Super goal that!
35 minSAVE! Courtois is forced to fly across his goal and keep out a strike from Candreva!
37 minNow then. Italy were supposed to roll over tonight for a strong Belgium team? None of it! The Italians are now full of confidence as they go in search of a second goal. They might be lacking a star striker, but they have an excellent defence and are playing some good stuff at the moment!
37 minCHANCE! Another sensational chance for the Italians as Pelle finds himself unmarked inside the six-yard box, but somehow the striker drops his header wide of the post.
39 minIt must be said that Belgium have been very disappointing in this first period. There is no question that they have some wonderful players, but they just cannot seem to produce a team performance at the moment and Sweden and Republic of Ireland will both be watching this game with interest.
39 minAnother long-range strike from Belgium as Witsel fires wide of the post.
41 minHalf-chance for Belgium as Fellaini finds De Bruyne with a smart pass inside the Italian box, but Candreva is across to make the challenge. Italy's defensive abilities are an absolute joy to watch.
44 minVery slow and predictable from Belgium at the moment and Italy are pretty comfortable defending their own box. Lukaku attempts to flick the ball towards the far post after good work from Fellaini, but Buffon is on hand to claim as we approach the final minute of an absorbing first period here.
45 min+1Just the one additional minute to be played at the end of the first period.
45 min+2HALF-TIME: Belgium 0-1 Italy
8.47pmSo there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with Italy leading Belgium 1-0 courtesy of a 32nd-minute goal from Giaccherini, who collected a wonderful pass from Bonucci before finishing past Courtois. Belgium have been very, very disappointing in this Group E clash.
8.52pmSTATS! Belgium have just about shaded the possession with 54%, while they have had seven attempts, but just one of those was on target. Italy, meanwhile, hit the target with two of their five attempts in the first period. No yellow cards to report and just 13 fouls in total tonight.
8.57pmBENCH WATCH! Belgium struggled offensively in that first period, but Wilmots has a number of wonderful options on his bench. Indeed, the likes of Batshuayi, Benteke, Carrasco, Dembele, Origi and Mertens are all available for the Belgians. Italy, meanwhile, have options in the shape of El Shaarawy, Florenzi, Insigne, Motta and Zaza. Conte though will be delighted with his team at the moment!
46 minRESTART! Belgium resume the action in Lyon...
47 min... no changes from either side at the break, which is not too much of a surprise. However, I suspect that both managers will have alterations in mind as the second period gathers pace here.
49 minYou just get the feeling that the next goal - if there indeed is one - could be vital. If Italy can score again, I would find it very difficult to imagine Belgium recovering against this Italian defence. However, an equaliser for Wilmots's side and it is very much game on in this Group E contest.
51 minCiman delivers into the Italian box after a period of possession for the Belgians, but Bonucci is on hand to make the clearance. It is all a little bit 'samey' from Belgium at the moment!
53 minBelgium are certainly enjoying more of the ball at the moment as they continue to break forward, but Italy are very comfortable, especially with De Rossi sitting in front of his back three here. Italy manage to break forward once again with Candreva, but Vertonghen is across to make the block.
54 minCHANCE! Wonderful chance for Belgium to level as De Bruyne sets up Lukaku just outside the Italian box, but the striker's effort just misses the post after Buffon had been beaten!
54 minSAVE! Courtois flies across his goal to keep out a strike from Pelle!
56 minHazard unleashes one from distance as the game continues to open up, but Buffon is on hand to make the save. Still 1-0 Italy, but plenty happening with 56 minutes on the clock in Lyon.
58 minBarzagli is forced to head behind under pressure from Fellaini as Belgium continue to force the issue in the final third. The resulting corner comes in from De Bruyne, but the referee blows for a foul.
59 minITALY SUB! De Sciglio replaces Darmian for the Italians.
61 minStill no movement on the Belgium bench, but we are entering the stage of the match where Wilmots will be considering changes. Italy have just managed to repel Belgium's latest dangerous period.
62 minBELGIUM SUB! Mertens replaces Nainggolan for Belgium.
64 minBelgium have not been afraid to use the height of Lukaku and Fellaini in this match, but Italy are so strong at the back and Chiellini is once again up above Lukaku to clear the danger. Another half-chance arrives when De Bruyne delivers from the right, but it is just too high for Fellaini.
66 minBOOKING! Chiellini (Italy) is booked for a late challenge on Hazard.
68 minLittle over 20 minutes of this contest remaining and Italy still lead 1-0 courtesy of that first-half effort from Giaccherini. You just get the feeling that there is another goal in this game though.
69 minPelle appears to have dislocated his thumb here, while Hazard is now on the deck!
72 minLukaku again loses possession inside the Italian box and it does appear that the Everton striker could be leaving the field in the next couple of moments as Origi receives some instructions.
73 minBELGIUM SUB! Origi replaces Lukaku for Belgium.
74 minGiaccherini has a low strike blocked wide of the post following smart work from Candreva.
75 minBOOKING! Eder (Italy) is booked for pulling Mertens to the deck.
75 minITALY SUB! Eder is replaced by Immobile.
75 minBELGIUM SUB! Carrasco replaces Ciman for Belgium.
78 minITALY SUB! Bonucci (Italy) is booked for a late challenge on Origi.
79 minITALY SUB! Motta replaces De Rossi for the Italians.
81 minNot an awful lot to report in terms of clear chances at the moment, but Belgium are camped inside the Italian half as they continue to search for an equaliser. We are inside the final 10 minutes now.
83 minMertens strikes one from distance after cutting inside, but his effort is deflected wide of the post. Italy are coming under some serious pressure as Belgium continue to crowd the penalty box.
83 minCHANCE! Origi somehow heads over the crossbar from close range!
84 minBOOKING! Motta (Italy) is booked for a late challenge on Hazard.
85 minSAVE! Italy break with Immobile and Courtois has to tip the ball wide of the post!
87 minAnother corner comes into the Italian box as the pressure continues from Belgium, but once again it is a white shirt that makes first contact. Defensively, Italy have been just wonderful tonight.
89 minMertens does well to break past two Italian defenders, but he cannot find a teammate with a low cross and then somehow Origi and Fellaini make a mess of the ball inside the box!
90 min+1We are into the first of three additional minutes.
90 min+1BOOKING! Vertonghen (Belgium) is booked for dissent.
90 min+3GOAL! Belgium 0-2 Italy (Pelle)
90 min+3That should do it! Italy score their second of the match as Candreva breaks through on goal before setting up Pelle, who absolutely hammers a volley into the back of the net. All over here!
90 min+4FULL-TIME: Belgium 0-2 Italy
9.52pmSo there we have it. Italy start their Group E campaign with a 2-0 win over Belgium, who have dropped to the bottom of the group. What a performance from the Italians tonight. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action once again. See you soon!
