Belgium celebrates No. 1 ranking with 3-1 win over Italy
Posted November 13, 2015 6:00 am
BRUSSELS (AP) - Kevin De Bruyne scored one goal and added an assist in Belgium's 3-1 victory over Italy which underscored its position as FIFA's top-ranked team and further established it as a leading challenger for next year's Euro finals.
After Antonio Candreva gave Italy an early lead, Belgium came back with goals from Jan Vertonghen, De Bruyne and Michy Batshuayi in a sparkling performance.
By the end of game, Belgium was toying with the Azzurri, a four-time World Cup winner clearly looking in need of rebuilding ahead of next year's tournament in France.
Belgium, meanwhile, continues to impress with a cast of players that dominate the English Premier league and have a big impact in the French and Italian leagues too.
Italy's Italyâs Antonio Candreva, left, scores the opening goal during a friendly soccer match between Belgium and Italy at the King Baudouin stadium in Brussels on Friday, Nov. 13, 2015. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert)
The Associated Press
Spectators hold sheets writing in italian 'Honor the fallen of the Heysel' during minute of silence to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Heysel stadium tragedy where 39 people died during fan violence at the 1985 European Cup final between Liverpool and Juventus, prior to the start of a friendly soccer match at the King Baudouin stadium in Brussels on Friday, Nov. 13, 2015. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert)
The Associated Press
From left Italyâs Giorgio Chiellini, left, his teammate Claudio Marchisio and Belgiumâs Jan Vertonghen applaude as they hold a minute of silence to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Heysel stadium tragedy where 39 people died during fan violence at the 1985 European Cup final between Liverpool and Juventus, prior to the start of a friendly soccer match at the King Baudouin stadium in Brussels on Friday, Nov. 13, 2015. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert)
The Associated Press
From left Italyâs Graziano Pelleâ, Belgiumâs Axel Witsel, Italyâs Claudio Marchisio and his teammate Giorgio Chiellini applaude as they hold a minute of silence to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Heysel stadium tragedy where 39 people died during fan violence at the 1985 European Cup final between Liverpool and Juventus, prior to the start of a friendly soccer match at the King Baudouin stadium in Brussels on Friday, Nov. 13, 2015. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert)
The Associated Press
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