Final result: Belgium-Italy 0-1
Belgium’s report cards (edited by Marco Pieracci)
Casteels 6.5 – He easily blocked Frattesi’s first shot on goal, which was acquitted with full force on the net. Well done to avoid another one.
Faes 5.5 – Fixed on speed combinations, approximate when it comes to setting up. He could redeem himself, but the pole tells him no.
Debast 5.5 – Not blameless in the decisive episode, first he misses the control and then gets a tunnel from Di Lorenzo. It won’t be the only flaw.
Theater 6 – Participant in the construction phase, he often gets caught out of position but is providential with a save on the line. From 71′ Al-Dakhil 6 – He pushes a lot.
Chestnuts 5.5 – He doesn’t read Tonali’s winning entry: he keeps his gaze fixed on the ball, noticing him when it’s too late. A nice cross for Lukaku. From 86′ Bakayoko sv
Engels 5 – Obvious downgrade compared to Tielemans in terms of management, under pressure he goes haywire. Tonali eats him up in duels. From 71′ Vermeeren 6 – Pick up the pace.
Onana 5 – Such physicality is not enough to counter the Italian dribble: Rovella slips away from him from all sides, unable to shield Barella.
Trossard 6 – He has to adapt to the role of midfielder, he tries with a couple of shots of his own but starts from too far away to be able to be incisive.
De Cuyper 5 – Advance your reach, lower your output. He struggles in the action that takes Italy forward: Di Lorenzo darts behind him. From 79′ Lukebakio sv
Openda 5.5 – Re-proposed in tandem with Lukaku, he stays next to him but ends up almost stepping on his toes. Donnarumma is careful about the only flash.
Lukaku 5.5 – Buongiorno knows its strengths and weaknesses, he finds himself faced with a wall that he cannot scratch. He comes out of the gray area only at the end.
Domenico Tedesco 5 – It puts itself in the mirror with Italy, but it is the interpretation that makes the difference. And some initial choices are perplexing.
Italy’s report cards (edited by Raimondo De Magistris)
Donnarumma 7 – The national team’s shirt is not that of PSG: its central role in Spalletti’s Italy is not only not in question, but is fundamental. In the second half he took center stage with 3-4 decisive interventions.
By Lorenzo 7 – In the first half Tonali needed a perfect ball, which just had to be placed at the bottom of the bag. The performance was good, at times excellent: the only flaw was the goal that was devoured at the start of the second half on Barella’s cross.
Good morning 7 – Francobolla Lukaku with an old-school goalscoring performance. But on his side the Napoli centre-back also has clear ball management and good leadership in the center of defence. It only drops a little in the final 20 minutes.
Sticks 6.5 – Thanks to the absence of Calafiori, he returns to ‘his’ role also in the national team: few defensive mistakes, constant support for Dimarco.
Cambiaso 6 – Not an evening as a protagonist, but when called into question he responds presently. From the 82nd Gatti sv
Frattesi 6.5 – Even tonight he throws himself in with incessant continuity. The goal is missing, but there is no shortage of play: at the beginning of the second half Retegui needs a chocolate which the number 9 does not turn into a goal.
Rovella 6.5 – Immediately familiar with the role of Samuele Ricci. Just like the Torino midfielder, he also lowers himself to the defenders’ line in order to always be at the center of the game: the first was good. From the 80th Locatelli sv
Tonali 7 – Full stop and start again. The goal scored tonight at the King Baudouin stadium in Brussels is the end of a circle. Four hundred and sixty days after the last goal, the first in his twentieth appearance with the national team. Tonali is back, Tonali is there: more decisive than ever.
Dimarco 6.5 – He often plays alongside Retegui on the centre-forward line, but when he is needed on the left wing he is always there ready to make the difference. Anarchic, disruptive. From the 68th Udogie 6 – Enter to defend the precious advantage.
Stretcher 6.5 – All-rounder rather than striker. He starts behind Retegui, but then is everywhere looking for the best space to make the difference. From the 80th Raspadori sv
Retegui 6 – Not a first half up to his latest performances. Better in the second half, although in the 54th minute face to face with Casteels he should have done more. From the 68th Kean 6 – He enters a very delicate moment of the match.
Luciano Spalletti 7 – Four wins and a draw in a very complicated group are a very important sign of rebirth. Italy has turned the page after the European Championship, the path is the right one.