The Belgian national team lost to Italy in their Euro 2020 quarter-final match (1-2) in Munich yesterday night. But, more than the actual match, what are more interesting are the relevant Euro 2020 numbers on Belgium and Italy.
The facts and statistics revolving around the two quarter-finalist teams in the history of this European Championship are quite telling.
Euro 2020 Numbers on Belgium and Italy
Belgium Have Not Reached European Semi-finals for 41 Years
Despite Roberto Martinez’s appointment as head coach in 2016, the Belgians failed in their Euro 2020 campaign.
Under his (no doubt, able) leadership, Belgium has been unable to make it to the final of a major tournament.
Indeed, Belgium have not played in the semi-finals at a European Championship since 1980.
Then too, after qualifying to the semi-finals, the team reached the final, but lost 1:2 to Germany there.
After that, the Belgians have twice finished in the group stage, in 2016, they also reached the quarterfinals. In other cases, they did not qualify for the final part of the tournament.
At the 2018 World Cup, however, the team reached the semi-finals. But there, they to France (0-1), who eventually won the tournament.
Italy Have Won a Record 15th Consecutive Euros Victory
Meanwhile, though Belgium’s streak is broken after 14 games when Italy defeated them, Italy’s streak has now extended.
Italy have now gone on for their 33rd consecutive game without suffering a loss as the football national team.
Also, Roberto Mancini’s side have secured their 15th successive Euro 2020 victory, after the finals and qualifying round matches.
And this is a tournament record, an impressive one, at that.
Remarkably, incidentally, the Italians thus far shared this record, of 14 wins in succession, with the Belgians.
Now, Italy will soon face another dangerous team, Spain, who beat Switzerland (the football news on which are also here).
 in Munich yesterday night.){kind=link}