Tonali shoots Italy past Belgium and into Nations League quarter-finals

English Woman's Journal - Tonali shoots Italy past Belgium and into Nations League quarter-finals

SPORTS 14.11.2024

Tonali shoots Italy past Belgium and into Nations League quarter-finals / Photo: JOHN THYS - AFP

Sandro Tonali fired Italy into the Nations League quarter-finals with the only goal in Thursday's 1-0 win over Belgium in Brussels, completing his Azzurri comeback from a gambling ban which cost him a place at Euro 2024.

Change text size:

Newcastle United midfielder Tonali tapped home his first international goal 10 minutes into a hard-fought win at the King Baudouin Stadium.

The 24-year-old's strike was crucial as Italy were guaranteed a spot in the last eight with a draw either against the Red Devils or with France on Sunday night.

Italy lead France by three points at the top of Group A2 and will battle with Les Bleus for first place at the San Siro.

Tonali was hit with a 10-month suspension in October last year for betting on football matches, including those involving his old team AC Milan while he was still playing for them.

That ban cost Tonali the chance to play a part in Italy's awful Euros title defence in Germany, where the Azzurri were dumped out in the last 16 by Switzerland.

Since then Luciano Spalletti's team have been rejuvenated over the course of the Nations League group stage.

Italy are unbeaten since the Euros and only drew with Belgium last month after having to play over half the match in Rome with 10 men.

Domenico Tedesco's Belgium meanwhile are six points behind second-placed France with one game remaining and cannot reach the quarters after winning only against Israel.

Romelu Lukaku wore the captain's armband in his first match for Belgium since their miserable Euros campaign which ended with defeat in the last 16 to France.

The Napoli forward should have levelled for the hosts in the 78th minute when he glanced Timothy Castagne's deflected cross wide from close range.

Belgium were the better team after the break and were denied a result by solid goalkeeping from Gianluigi Donnarumma and the post, which with seven minutes remaining kept out Wout Faes' flicked header after a well worked set-piece.

Ch.Reilly--EWJ

FA Cup Second-Round Draw Confirmed for Non-League and Midlands Clubs

The FA Cup second-round draw has been finalized, setting up crucial ties for non-league teams aiming to reach the third round proper. Several clubs from the Midlands, including Burton Albion and Kidderminster Harriers, have secured their next opponents following recent victories over lower-league opposition.

Panthers expected to begin 2027 NRL season away from new stadium

The new Penrith Stadium is expected to be ready in time for the opening round of the 2027 NRL season, but it’s still likely the Panthers is expected to be on the road for their early matches. There is no delay to the build of the new $309 million venue but there’s a lack of appetite for risk around weather delays through the summer.

Tayyab Arif hits 57 on Pakistan Test debut against Sri Lanka

RAWALPINDI, Pakistan (AP) — Tayyab Arif smashed an aggressive half-century on debut and provided a new-look Pakistan lineup a confident start to the first cricket test against Sri Lanka on Monday. The 20-year-old Tayyab struck nine boundaries and a six in his 57-run knock as Pakistan reached 137-2 at lunch on a greenish wicket that lured Sri Lanka captain Kusal Mendis to bowl first after winning the toss.

English Woman's Journal - Tonali shoots Italy past Belgium and into Nations League quarter-finals