Olympic Football: Italy Out as Belgium Progress

The Italians looked dangerous in the early stages of the match, with Robert Acquafresca glancing his header just the wrong side of Logan Bailly's far post.

On 17 minutes, Thomas Vermaelen hauled down Acquafresca in the area—and the Argentinian referee promptly pointed to the spot.

To make matters worse, Vermaelen was then given his marching orders.

With the subsequent penalty, Giuseppe Rossi stepped up, and slotted it home with the minimum of fuss.

But in the 24th minute, Moussa Dembele put Belgium back on even terms. Italian defender Luca Cigarini scrambled, and tried to clear off the line—but the ball was deemed to have gone in.

Belgiam then went in front, one minute into first-half stoppage time.

Kevin Mirallas turned brilliantly in the box, eluded his marker and shot past the wrong-footed Emiliano Viviano.

Belgium took there advantage in to half-time, leading 2-1.

In the 68th minute, Belgium found themselves forced to replace their first-choice goalkeeper.

Only five minutes after coming on, the new keeper was forced to face down another Rossi spot-kick, after Sepp De Roover was judged to have fouled Paolo De Ceglie.

The Villarreal forward made no mistake with his second penalty of the day, once more converting it in the way players of his calibre are expected to.

The Belgians, undeterred by the set-back, raced straight back up the field and took the lead for the last time, once again through Dembele. 

Italian goalkeeper Viviano was subsequently sent off, dismissed for a tussle with Mirallas as he tried to retrieve the ball.

With both sides down to ten men, Belgium were able to hold on for the five minutes of stoppage time.

They will now meet either Côte d'Ivoire or Nigeria in one of the semi-finals, in Shanghai on 19 August.