Date: 18-06-1980
Stage: first round
Place: ROMA
Running time: 110 min.
Colour: PAL
Quality: HD 1080 50fps (9,5)
Commentary: MULTI: italian/english
My rating: ***
Notes: Zoff,Causio,Antognoni,Bettega, Pfaff,Gerets,Vandereycken,Vanderelst
MATCH SUMMARY
Wednesday, 18 June 1980, 20:00
Olimpico, Roma
Attendance: 42,318
Meteo: Clear, warm, 23°C
ITALY
Dino Zoff (c)
Fulvio Collovati
Claudio Gentile
Gaetano Scirea
Giancarlo Antognoni
Romeo Benetti
Gabriele Oriali
Marco Tardelli
Roberto Bettega
Franco Causio
Francesco Graziani
Coach: Enzo Bearzot (ITA)
75′ Franco Causio
80′ Gabriele Oriali
35′ ↓Giancarlo Antognoni ↑Giuseppe Baresi
46′ ↓Gabriele Oriali ↑Alessandro Altobelli
BELGIUM
Jean-Marie Pfaff
Eric Gerets
Walter Meeuws
Luc Millecamps
Michel Renquin
Julien Cools (c)
Raymond Mommens
Wilfried Van Moer
René Vandereycken
Jan Ceulemans
François Van der Elst
Coach: Guy Thijs (BEL)
65′ René Vandereycken
70′ François Van der Elst
85′ Walter Meeuws
48′ ↓Wilfried Van Moer ↑Rene Verheyen
77′ ↓Raymond Mommens ↑Erwin Vandenbergh
Referee: Antonio Garrido (ESP)
Goals:
none
Match overview
Italy and Belgium played out a tactical stalemate in Rome, with both teams adopting cautious approaches in this crucial group match. Belgium’s disciplined defensive display frustrated the hosts, whilst Italy struggled to break down their well-organized opponents despite territorial advantage. The goalless draw proved sufficient for Belgium to progress as group winners.
Trivia
This match marked Belgium’s first appearance in a European Championship final, achieved through their superior goal tally over Italy in the group standings. The tactical battle showcased two contrasting football philosophies, with Belgium’s pragmatic approach ultimately proving more effective than Italy’s possession-based game.
