Soccer Championship
Belgium was the last team to qualify for the quarter-finals of the European Championship finals in England. The Belgians won the direct duel for promotion in Manchester 1-0 (0-0) against Italy at the end of the group phase on Monday and secured second place in Group D. In the parallel game in Rotherham, Iceland fell against group winners France after 43 Seconds behind and gambled away the ascent with a 1:1 (0:1).
Italy, with only players from the domestic league on the field, showed defensive uncertainties in the early stages against Belgium. After that, both teams neutralized each other in the first half. As a result, it was a goalless draw at the break, a score that would have spelled the end of the European Championship for both teams due to Iceland’s narrow deficit.
But Belgium struck shortly after the restart through Tine de Caigny (49th). Italy were now under pressure, needed two goals and pressed on. A shot by captain Cristiana Girelli only landed on the crossbar (52nd), and a few other chances remained unused.
Winning goal for Belgium
Tine de Caigny’s 49th-minute goal secured Belgium’s promotion to the quarter-finals.
Draw for Iceland too little
In Rotherham, Iceland took a cold shower after just 43 seconds. Melvine Malard gave the French the lead with the second-fastest goal in European Championship history, according to ORF statistics.
However, the Icelanders put away the lightning deficit and had two good chances to equalize through Sveindis Jonsdottir (11′), whose header grazed the crossbar (11′), and Berglind Thorvaldsdottir (41′), who was surprised after a mistake by the French goalkeeper first half.
lead after 43 seconds
After less than a minute, Melvine Malard scored to make it 1-0 for the favored French.
In the second half, France’s Sandy Baltimore (55th) only hit the bar, and two goals by the EM favorite were disallowed after a video check. In the twelfth minute of extra time, the Icelanders equalized with a penalty from Dagny Brynjarsdottir, but it was not enough for promotion.
Penalty in the 102nd minute of the game
The equalizer by Dagny Brynjarsdottir in the twelfth minute of added time did nothing for the Icelanders.
Belgium, who are in the quarter-finals for the first time, now meet Sweden in the knockout stages on Friday. The quarter-final games start on Wednesday with England – Spain, followed by Austria – Germany on Thursday and France – Netherlands on Saturday (all games from 9 p.m., live on ORF1 and in the live stream).
