Having lost at the quarter-finals of the 2014 World Cup and Euro 2016, Belgium finally cleared this hurdle at the 2018 World Cup. They’ve shown real development under boss Roberto Martínez, as no European nation has won more games (47) and scored more goals (175) than Belgium since Martínez took over. In fact, it’s a managerial battle of the Roberto’s in this encounter. Italy, currently led by Roberto Mancini, have won three of four fixtures against Belgium since the start of 2000 (L1), and are unbeaten in major tournament H2Hs (W3, D1) - the last two ended in a 2-0 win for the Italians.
Averaging 21.8 shots per game - a tournament high after the Round of 16 - while facing only seven shots themselves, shows Italy have been at their best. In fact, they’ve only conceded 13 goals across their last 18 matches at major tournaments, keeping eight clean sheets, and conceding more than once on only one occasion.
Having lost at the quarter-finals of the 2014 World Cup and Euro 2016, Belgium finally cleared this hurdle at the 2018 World Cup. They’ve shown real development under boss Roberto Martínez, as no European nation has won more games (47) and scored more goals (175) than Belgium since Martínez took over.
In fact, it’s a managerial battle of the Roberto’s in this encounter. Italy, currently led by Roberto Mancini, have won three of four fixtures against Belgium since the start of 2000 (L1), and are unbeaten in major tournament H2Hs (W3, D1) - the last two ended in a 2-0 win for the Italians.
Averaging 21.8 shots per game - a tournament high after the Round of 16 - while facing only seven shots themselves, shows Italy have been at their best. In fact, they’ve only conceded 13 goals across their last 18 matches at major tournaments, keeping eight clean sheets, and conceding more than once on only one occasion.