Belgium, Italy observe Heysel tragedy remembrance during friendly

Belgium came from behind to beat Italy 3-1 in an open and entertaining friendly in Brussels on Friday, underlining their status as one of the favourites for next year’s Euro 2016.

Italy’s central defence was at fault on 75 minutes when De Bruyne hit Belgium’s second goal.

“We can only try to improve the world so this never happens again, but also educate young people so they understand the gravity of what happened”, said Buffon in a Press conference.

Italy took the lead in the third minute when Graziano Pellè tested Mignolet with a low drive and Candreva swooped in ahead of the flatfooted Belgian defence to slot home the rebound.

On Saturday night the Heysel Stadium pitch was graced by Belgium and Italy, with both sides and everyone else in the stadium paying tribute to those that died in the stadium by participating in a minute’s silence during the game.

The impressive Alessandro Florenzi raced onto a long ball and fed into the box.

Mignolet came to Belgium’s rescue in the 11th minute, as he pulled off a superb save to deny Candreva at his near post.

Belgium’s Jan Vertonghen, center, celebrates with teammates Kevin De Bruyne, left, Radja Nainggolan, Yannick Carrasco after scoring during a friendly soccer match between Belgium and Italy at the King Baudouin stadium in Brussels on Friday, November 13, 2015.

Vertonghen was left unmarked as De Bruyne delivered a ideal corner for the Tottenham defender to head home.

At the memorial service, members of the Azzurri’s Juventus contingent Andrea Barzagli Giorgio Chiellini and Claudio Marchisio looked solemn as they remembered those supporters who lost their lives.

And in the 74th minute, Leonardo Bonucci gave away the ball in defence and De Bruyne capitalised by bouncing it past Buffon. Moments after Axel Witsel had spurned a good chance, De Bruyne got lucky as his shot bounced over Gianluigi Buffon after Batshuayi’s initial effort was saved.