Quick Report: Italy 2-3 Belgium

In a heroic performance on Saturday, Belgium beat match favorites Italy to make their way into the semi finals in China.

The Olympic quarter final between Italy and Belgium was bound to be a rather one-sided clash and it seemed to be heading that way when Thomas Vermaelen caused a penalty in the 18th minute and was sent off by the referee.

Rossi did well to convert the spot kick but Belgium, despite being a man down, came back through Dembele six minutes later.

Mirallas went on to put Belgium in the lead just before the break.

The Italians were handed another penalty kick in the 74th minute and again it was Rossi to put the ball past the goalkeeper.

But the decider came six minutes later, when Dembele netted his second and Belgium’s third to eliminate Italy from the tournament.

In the semi finals, Belgium will face the winner of the match between Nigeria and Ivory Coast.