Belgium’s footballers have reached the quarterfinals of the European Championship for the first time. The team coached by Ives Serneels defeated Italy 1-0 (0-0) in the final group match in Manchester and will meet Sweden, who came second at the Olympics, in the first knockout round.
Tinne De Caigny (49th) scored the goal for the Belgians, who benefited from the 1-1 (1-0) of the previously qualified French team in the parallel game against Iceland.
Melvine Malard (1st) gave the co-favourites an early lead with a lightning goal in Rotherham. Dagny Brynjarsdottir equalized with a very late penalty kick (90+12) for the Icelanders, but the point wasn’t enough to progress.
France will play defending champions Netherlands in the quarterfinals.
In addition, hosts England and Spain as well as Germany and Austria meet in the fight for a place in the semi-finals.