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Lorenzo Insigne’s stunning goal a defining moment for the new Italy | Nicky Bandini

02-Jul-2021 21:31:13 | The Guardian

While they are on a long unbeaten run, Roberto Mancini’s side’s victory over Belgium in the Euro 2020 quarter-final was their first major tournament win against a ‘big’ team

If we needed one moment to sum up Italy’s transformation over the past four years, it arrived in the 44th minute at the Allianz Arena. Lorenzo Insigne’s goal was a thing of beauty, cutting in from the left and curling the ball from the edge of the area into the far corner of the net with such precision that Thibaut Courtois had no chance.

The forward had started his run from the halfway line. This was Insigne distilled, a goal that he has scored countless times down the years. The finish might not always be so flawless, but the ambitious dribble, the move inside and the right-footed shot across goal have been foundation stones of a career. You could accuse him of being too predictable, but like Arjen Robben in his prime, Insigne has learned that it does not matter if defenders know what dance you’re doing if they still cannot match your steps.