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Belgium joined Group D winners France in the quarter-finals of Euro 2022 after a 1-0 win over Italy at Manchester’s Academy Stadium.
France entered their last match of organisation relying on first place, but were denied a hundred per cent record through Dagny Brynjarsdottir’s penalty in extra time in a 1-1 draw with Iceland.
Here, news firm PA takes a look at the tournament’s newest matches.
Melvine Malard scored after 44 minutes, but France couldn’t make their 16-game winning streak bigger after being denied two goals at half-time.
Malard had a shot in the 68′ passed by VAR after moving away from the offside, and Grace Geyoro’s chance to close the match with two minutes to go was denied with her hand.
Iceland had chances, with Sveindis Jonsdottir hitting the crossbar in the 11th minute, but news of Belgium’s lead in the other game made their task unlikely.
Brynjarsdottir’s safe shot turned out too late and the final whistle made Iceland the first team to leave the organisational level after drawing in all 3 matches.
Tine De Caigny pounced 4 minutes into the second half to seal a historic Belgium victory that reached the back 8 for the first time.
The Belgians had their eye on Iceland’s scoreboard and also had to endure the tension of the Italians, who hit the crossbar through Cristiana Girelli.
Valentina Giacinti fended off one of Italy’s many smart chances, while Belgium may have calmed their nerves when Tessa Wullaert hit a post in extra time.
News of Iceland’s defeated purpose infuriated the Belgians, but they survived to triumph in the knockout stages at their time of appearance in the final only.
July 20
Quarterfinals: England-Spain (20. 00 h, AMEX Stadium)
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